Buhari Rewards Ararume, Tinubu’s Aide With NCC Appointments

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, who made this known in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the statement, President Buhari sent a letter dated August 2, 2016, to Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, nominating Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (South West) as chairman of the commission.

The president nominated Sunday Dare as the NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management. While a former chieftain of the PDP, Chief Ifeanyi Ararume was nominated as non-executive commissioner.

Mr. Dare, who is an aide to the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu, will also represent the south west.

“In a letter dated August 2, 2016, sent to President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye (South West) was nominated as Chairman, while Mr. Sunday Dare (South West) got the nod as Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management,” the statement read.

“Those nominated as non-executive commissioners are: Aliyu Sa’idu Abubakar (north-east), Clement Omeiza Baiye (north-central), Okoi Ofem Obono Obla (south-south), Ezekiel Yissa (north-central) and Ifeanyi Ararume (south-east).

“The nominations are in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Communications Commission Act 2003.”

Recall that Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, a former governorship aspirant under the platform of the PDP in Imo State, decamped to APC after tthe March 28, 2016 presidential, which the PDP candidate, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan lost to the then opposition APC’s candidate. Muhammadu Buhari.

This appointment and gale of others to follow is perceived in some quarters, as Buhari’s attempt to appease an APC chieftain and other opportunistic politicians  who jumped ship to help him win last year’s presidential election.