PRESIDENT BUHARI DEFENDS LATEST APPOINTMENTS

President Muhammadu Buhari

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has defended six appointments he made a few days back, especially that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal.

Here is the list of the appointees:

·         Babachir David Lawal – Secretary to the Government of the Federation

·         Alhaji Abba Kyari - Chief of Staff to the President

·         Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) - Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service

·         Mr. Kure Martins Abeshi - Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service

·         Senator Ita Enang - Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate)

·         Hon. Suleiman Kawu – Senior Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Muhammadu Buhari’s political appointments will balance out soon.

He said the President was aware of federal character and expressed the belief that there will be balance by the time he makes more appointments in September, adding that nobody could fault the fact that those that had been named so far were appointed on merits.

He also said it would not be fair to blame the President for positions that were filled as a result of elections, like those of the National Assembly and appointments made on the basis of next in command, like those of the acting Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission and Chief Justice of Nigeria.

He assured all stakeholders that the President would keep to his promise of appointing the remaining aides and ministers in September.