Presidency fumes over article on Buhari’s appointees

By
Content-man
-
0
77

The Presidency has described as `divisive, mischievous and misleading’ a newspaper article, titled, “81 of Buhari’s 100 appointees are Northerners’’.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said the article by Business Day was meant to portray the Buhari administration in bad light.

Adesina stated that the article was either an ignorant effort or a mischievous attempt by the publication to mislead the public.

According to him, the publication’s inconsistencies and selective reportage are questionable and divisive with its many misleading statements that should be taken with a pinch of salt.

“ Although the publication claims to be a fact-checking reportage, what it did essentially is roughly putting together a string of misleading statements across two pages of a newspaper.

“To push this biased reportage, which wrongly claimed that 81 of President Buhari’s 100 appointees are Northerners, the writer unilaterally selected 100 appointees to drive home the distraction presented as “facts”.

“It is, indeed, false for anyone to say that President Buhari’s appointments are lopsided.

“From all records, majority of the President’s appointees across different portfolios are not from the North, as the publication erroneously alleged.

“If the publication did not have ulterior motives, a simple enquiry from official sources in the Presidency would have prevented this unwarranted public disinformation.’’

He maintained that despite the distractions and biased reportage of this article, the President remained committed to serving all Nigerians, no matter the tribe, ethnicity or region.

The presidential aide said President Buhari was also determined to ensure that `Nigeria remains strong and united’, saying that he would continue to keep faith with one Nigeria.

He explained that the president had shown this with the administration’s diverse projects in different parts of the country’s geopolitical zones.

He, therefore, stated that, to claim, suggest or attempt to insinuate that the President’s appointments were tilted in favour of a section of the country was simply untrue and uncharitable.

Adesina further said: “The publication could not even cross the t’s and dot the i’s properly.

“For instance, the author wrongly named the Director-General, NISER, as Haruna Yerima, whereas the DG, NISER is actually Folarin Gbadebo-Smith. Again, the author wrongly identified the CEO, NDLEA as Muhammad Abdallah. However, Mrs. Roli Bode-George is the CEO, NDLEA.

“Why will a publication of the status of Business Day embark on such shoddiness, or are we to conclude this was calculated to create a particular perception?

“The article also wrongly named Tunde Irukera as Executive Secretary of CPP,-whatever that is- instead of Consumer Protection Council (CPC). Rather conveniently, the publication ignored mentioning that Mr Emeka Nwankpa is chairman of CPC. Not only that, the writer claimed that the Director-General of the Budget Office is Aliyu Gusau, whereas Mr. Ben Akabueze is the actual DG, Budget Office.

“Besides, the publication made not just one, but several errors on names and positions, in what could be seen as a deliberate attempt to mislead the reading public, along the lines of some intended distortions of the truth.

“For example, there are several other appointments the publication failed to mention, which clearly shows the fair geopolitical spread of President Buhari’s appointees.

“For instance, the publication didn’t mention Sharon Ikeazor, Director-General, PTAD, who is from Anambra, South East; Folorunsho Coker, DG, NTDC; who is from Lagos, South West; Ituah Ighodalo, of the National Council of Privatisation, who is from the South South; Eze Duru Ihioma, Chairman, NPC, who is from Imo, South East, among many others.’’

According to Adesina, there are at least 50 names of the President’s appointees that the article didn’t mention that are not from the North, while there are some others that were already in place before the administration came in but reconfirmed by the Buhari administration.

He also revealed that, several names of board members/appointees from other parts of the country were deliberately left out.

He said the omitted names included Sen. Olabiyi Durojaiye, NCC Chairman; Sunday Dare, NCC Executive Commissioner; Jide Zeitlin, NSIA Chairman; Anthony Ayine, Auditor General of the Federation and Anibor Kragha, COO NNPC.

The affected appointees whose names were omitted in the article also included Chiedu Ugbo, MD NDPHC, Uche Orji, CEO NSIA, Osita Okechukwu, DG VON, Yemi Kale, DG NBS and Waziri Adio, Executive Secretary NEITI, among several others.

He, therefore, maintained that, “it is, indeed, false for anyone to say that President Buhari’s appointments are lopsided.

“From all records, majority of the President’s appointees across different portfolios are not from the North, as the publication erroneously alleged.

“If the publication did not have ulterior motives, a simple enquiry from official sources in the Presidency would have prevented this unwarranted public disinformation.

Adesina concluded that, “what Nigerians need now are unity and constructive dialogue that would help the nation march forward on the right path not divisive, misleading reportage.’’

The article was published by the newspaper on Oct. 29.(NAN)

Although the publication listed 100 appointees, here is a list of over 150 agency and board appointments
Name Portfolio Region Notes Confirmed Appointed by Current Admin
1 Tukur Buratai Chief of Army Staff North East Y Y
2 Babagana Monguno National Security Adviser North East Y Y
3 Abubakar Lawal Aide de Camp North West Y Y
4 Femi Adesina Special Adviser Media and Publicity South West Y Y
5 Garba Shehu SSA. Media and Publicity North West Wrongly identified as SA Y Y
6 Sunday Dare EC, NCC South West Not included with board members Y Y
7 Lawal Kazaure State Chief of Protocol North West Y Y
8 Ahmed Idris Accountant General North West Y Y
9 Antony Ayine Auditor General South South Y Y
10 Abayomi Olonishakin Chief of Defence Staff South West Y Y
11 Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas Chief of Naval Staff South South Y Y
12 Sadique Abubakar Chief of Air Staff North East Y Y
13 Monday Morgan Chief Defence Intel North Central Y Y
14 Lawal Daura DG, State Security Services North West Y Y
15 Mahmood Yakubu INEC Chairman North East Y Y
16 Hadiza Bala Usman MD, NPA North West Y Y
17 Paul Boroh SA, Niger Delta Amnesty South South Y Y
18 Dakuku Peterside DG, NIMASA South South Y Y
19 Sen Olabiyi Durojaiye Chairman NCC South West Y Y
20 Umaru Dambatta Chief Executive, NCC North West Y Y
21 Babatunde Fowler Chairman, FIRS South West Y Y
22 Maikanti Baru GMD, NNPC North East Y Y
23 Boss Mustapha SGF North East Y Y
24 Abba Kyari Chief of Staff North East Y Y
25 Ade Ipaye Deputy Chief of Staff South West Not included with board members Y Y
26 Hameed Ali CG, Nigerian Customs North West Y Y
27 Mohammed Babandede CG, Nigerian Immigration North Central Y Y
28 Ita Enang SSA, National Assembly South South Y Y
29 Suleiman Kawu SSA, National Assembly North West Y Y
30 Babafemi Ojodu SA Political South West Not included with team members Y Y
31 Adeyemi Dipeolu SA Economy South West Not included with board members Y Y
32 Ahmed Lawan Kuru MD, AMCON North East Y Y
33 Mohammed Kari Insurance Commission North East Y Y
34 Ibrahim Magu Acting Chairman EFCC North East Y Y
35 Abike Dabiri SSA, Diaspora South West Y Y
36 Abdullahi Muhammadu CG. NSCDS North Central Y Y
37 Winifred Oyo-Ita Head of Service South South Y Y
38 Aishah Ahmad Deputy Gov. CBN North Central Y Y
39  Mary Ekpere DG, NCWD South South Y Y
40 Funso Doherty DG, PENCOM South West Y Y
41 Dikko AbdulRahman Chairman, BOI North East Y Y
42 Olukayode Pitan MD, BOI South West Not included with board members Y Y
43 Mr Adebayo Somefun MD, NSITF South West Y Y
44 Kemi Nelson ED, NSITF South West Y Y
45 Lady Azinge, Azuka Obiageli Ag. Registrar General, CAC South East Y Y
46 Ahmed Dangiwa MD, Federal M.Bank North West Y Y
47 Melville Ebo ED, Federal M.Bank South East Y Y
48 Dankane Abdullahi ED, Federal M.Bank North West Y Y
49 Alex Okoh DG, BPE South South Y Y
50 Ibrahim Goni CG, National Park North Central Y N Sep-14
51 Nasiru Ladan DG, NDE North Central Y Y
52 Saliu Alabi DG, MINILS North Central Y Y
53 Jeffery Barminas DG, RICT North East Y Y
54 Folarin Gbadebo Smith DG, NISER South West Wrongly Identified as Haruna Yerima Y Y
55 Mohammed Tukur Secretary FCC North East Y Y
56 Shettima Abba Chairman FCC North East Y Y
57 Tunde Irukera ES, CPC North Central Wrongly identified as CPP Y Y
58 Umar Gambo Jibrin ES, FCDA North East Y Y
59 Roli Bode George CEO, NDLEA North East Wrongly identified as Muhammad Abdullah Y N
60 Garba Abari DG, NOA North East Y Y
61 Sule Kazaure DG, NYSC North West Y Y
62 Jelani Aliyu` DG, NADDC North West Y Y
63 Bayo Onanuga MD, NAN South West Y Y
64 Ibrahim Idris IGP North Central Y Y
65 Ghaji Bello DG, NPC North East Y N Jan-14
66 Saleh Dunoma MD FAAN North East Y N Mar-14
67 USA Sadiq Dir Security, FAAN North West Y Y
68 Rabiu Yadudu Dir Operations, FAAN North West Y Y
69 Salisu Daura Dir Maintenance, FAAN North West Y Y
70 Nike Aboderin Dir Finance & Accounts FAAN South West Not included with board members Y Y
71 Norris Anozie Dir HR FAAN South East Not included with board members Y Y
72 Clifford Omozeghian Company Secretary, Legal Adviser FAAN South South Not included with board members Y Y
73 Rahimatu Aminu Aliyu ED, Federal Mortgage Bank North West Y Y
74 Melville Ebo ED, Federal Mortgage Bank South East Not included with board members Y Y
75 Julie Okah – Donli DG, NAPTIP South South Y Y
76 Bello Rabiu COO NNPC North West Not included with board members Y Y
77 Henry Ikem Obih COO NNPC South East Y Y
78 Bello Gusau ES PTDF North Central Y Y
79 Isiaka Abdulrazak CFO NNPC North Central Y Y
80 Isa Inuwa COO NNPC North West Y Y
81 Saidu Muhammad COO NNPC North West Y Y
82 Babatunde Adeniran COO NNPC South West Y Y
83 Anibor Kragha COO NNPC South South Not included with board members Y Y
84 Chidi Momah Secretary NNPC South East Y Y
85 Modecai Baba Ladan Dir DPR North Central duplicated Y Y
86 Eberechukwu Uneze ED, AMCON South East Y Y
87 Aminu Ismail ED, AMCON North West Y Y
88 Kola Ayeye ED, AMCON South West Not included with board  members Y Y
89 Ishaq Oloyode Registrar, JAMB South West Y Y
90 Chidi Izuwah DG, ICRC South East Y Y
91 Bolaji Owasanoye ICPC South West Y Y
92 Lenrie Aina National Librarian South West Y Y
93 Charles Uwakwe NECO South East Y Y
94 Umaru Maza Maza Chair, REA North West Y Y
95 Damilola Ogunbiyi MD REA South West Y Y
96 Sanusi Ohiare ED, REA North Central Y Y
97 Yewande Odia ED, REA South West Not included with board members Y Y
98 Fola Akinkuotu MD, NAMA South West Y Y
99 Sani Abubakar Mashi DG, NiMet North West Y Y
100 Abdusalam Mohammed Rector, NCAT North Central Y Y
101 Akinola Olateru Commissioner, AIB South West Y Y
102 Abubakar Rasheed ES, NUC North West Y Y
103 Abdulkadir Umar ES, PPPRA North West Y Y
104 Elias Nwalem RMAFC South East Y Y
105 Marilyn Amobi NBET South East Y Y
106 Faisal Shuaib ES, NPHCDA North Central Y Y
107 Umaru Ibrahim NDIC North West Reconfirmed by Buhari Admin Y N Dec-10
108 Uja Tor Uja NCPC North Central Y Y
109 Isa Pantami DG, NITDA North East Y Y
110 Patience Oniha DG, DMO South South Y Y
111 Nnenna Akajemeli CEO, SERVICOM South East Y Y
112 Folasade Joseph MD, NAIC North Central Y Y
113 Cecilia Gaya DG, ASCON North East Y Y
114 Luci Ajayi ES, LITFMB South South Y Y
115 Lanre Gbajabiamila NLRC South West N Y
116 Usman Abubakar NRC North West Y Y
117 Chiedu Ugbo MD, NDPHC South South Not included Y Y
119 Osita Okechukwu DG, VON South East Not included Y Y
120 Eze Duru Ihioma Chair, NPC South East Y N Jan-14
121 Bisi Adegbuyi Postmaster General, NIPOST South West Not included Y Y
122 Yewande Sadiku DG, NIPC South West Not included Y Y
123 Princess Gloria Akobundu CEO, NEPAD South South Not included Y Y
124 Olagunsoye Oyinlola Chairman, NIMC South West Not included Y Y
125 Umana Okon Umana Oil & Gas Free Zone South South Not included Y Y
126 Sharon Ikeazor DG, PTAD South East Not included Y Y
127 Ben Akabueze DG, Budget Office South East  Wrongly identified as Aliyu Gusau Y Y
128 Yemi Kale DG,NBS South West Reconfirmed by Buhari Admin Y N Aug-11
129 Folorunsho Coker DG,NTDC South West Not included Y Y
130 Waziri Adio ES, NEITI South West Not included Y Y
131 Alh Adebayo Thomas DG Film and Censor’s Board South West Not included Y Y
132 Maryam Uwais SA Social Investment North Central Not included with board members Y Y
133 Jumoke Oduwole SSA Trade and Investment South West Not included with board  members Y Y
134 Emeka Nwapa CHAIRMAN, CPC South East Not included with board  members Y Y
135 Ife Oyedele ED, NDPHC South West Not included Y Y
136 Alhaji Ali Usman Chairman, PENCOM North West Not included Y Y
137 Manase Benga EC, PENCOM North Central Not included Y Y
138 Zaki Magawata EC, PENCOM North East Not included Y Y
139 Ben Oviosun EC, PENCOM South South Not included Y Y
140 Nyerere Ayim EC, PENCOM South East Not included Y Y
141 Sanusi Garba NERC COMMISSIONER North West Not included Y Y
142 Dafe C. Akpeneye NERC COMMISSIONER South South Not included Y Y
143 Nathan Rogers Shatti NERC COMMISSIONER North East Not included Y Y
144 Dr Moses Arigu NERC COMMISSIONER North Central Not included Y Y
145 Musiliu Olalekan Oseni, NERC COMMISSIONER South West Not included Y Y
146 Professor Frank N. Okafor NERC COMMISSIONER South East Not included Y Y
147 Ituah Ighodalo National Council of Privatisation South South Not included Y Y
148 O. Olaoye National Council of Privatisation South West Not included Y Y
149 Yinka Amosun FRCN (Lagos) South West Not included Y Y
150 Femi Odumosu Ogun Osun RBDA South West Not included
152 Jide Zeitlin Chair, NSIA South West Not included
153 Uche Orji CEO/MD, NSIA South East Not included
154 Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli ED, NSIA South East Not included
155 Urum Kalu Eke NSIA South East Not included
156 Lois Laraba Machunga-Disu NSIA North Central Not included
157 Asue Ighodalo NSIA South South Not included
158 Halima Buba NSIA North East Not included
159 Bello Machido NSIA North WeSt Not included
Follow Us On WhatsApp

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR