Why Buhari Ignored Federal Character In Picking New Service Chiefs – Presidency

The Presidency has said no section of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution mandates President Muhammadu Buhari to observe federal character in appointing the country’s Service Chiefs.

Presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, stated this while appearing on Channels TV’s programme ‘Politics Today’, monitored by THE WHISTLER on Tuesday.

Adesina was reacting to a question on whether or not President Buhari’s appointment of new Service Chiefs was lopsided, as many had expected that the President would pick a military chief from the South East region when replacing the outgone ones.

But the presidential aide said in response: “There are certain appointments that are subject to Federal Character. For instance, the constitution says there must be a minister from each state of the country.

“But there are certain appointments that are also not subject to Federal Character and one is in the security. In the security they are not subject to Federal Character. It is about competence; it is about ability to deliver. So, the President will appointment whoever he thinks is fit and proper and would deliver to the best level for the country and for Nigerians.

“So, appointments that are subject to Federal Character would be done to Federal Character, but the ones that are subject to the prerogative of the President, he will do it according to his prerogative.”

Buhari had constantly been accused of dividing the nation along ethnic and religious lines over allegations lopsided appointments.

THE WHISTLER reports that the snubbing of the South East region in the latest appointment of Service Chiefs may spark fresh allegations of nepotism against Buhari.

The new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor as the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.