Forget federal character, this is how Buhari picked new service chiefs, Presidency

Forget federal character, this is how Buhari picked new service chiefs, Presidency

- The notion of federal character was not considered in the selection of the new service chiefs

- This was the disclosure made by Femi Adesina, one of President Muhammadu Buhari's media aide

- Adesina explained that the president only looked at competence and drive to deliver in his choice

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The presidency has revealed how President Muhammadu Buhari selected the newly-appointed service chiefs to tackle insecurity in Nigeria.

Femi Adesina, the special adviser on media and publicity to President Buhari, explained on Tuesday, January 26, that according to the Nigerian constitution, some appointments can be done without consideration of federal character.

Adesina, who spoke with Channels TV on Tuesday, said that security is one of the areas where this can be allowed.

The presidential media aide added that what is more important is competence, not necessarily the idea of federal character or ethnic background of the persons in question.

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He went on to state that the president appointed the new service chiefs based on their proven ability to deliver in their offices.

Selection of new service chiefs not by federal character, says presidency
According to Femi Adesina, the selection of new service chiefs was not done by federal character (Photo: The Nation, Punch)
Source: UGC

His words:

“There are certain appointments that are subject to federal character, for instance, the constitution says that 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 of them is in the security.
“In security, they are not subject to Federal Character. It is about competence; it is about the ability to deliver.
“So, the president will appoint whoever he feels is fit and proper and will deliver to the best level for the country and for Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, the presidency had finally lifted the lids on the appointment of the new service chiefs, saying the decision was based on the need to rejig the security structure of the country. Adesina made this revelation on Tuesday.

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BREAKING: Why Buhari sacked ex-service chiefs - Presidency opens up

Adesina said Buhari felt it was time to appoint new service chiefs, hence the decision to bring in new men with fresh ideas and strategy.

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The presidential media aide also faulted the claims that the outgoing service chiefs' resignation was as a result of a number of security lapses under their tenure and the pressure mounted on the government for their sack.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Onyirioha Nnamdi avatar

Onyirioha Nnamdi Onyirioha Nnamdi is a graduate of Literature and English Language at the University of Lagos. He is a Politics/Current Affairs Editor who writes on news and political topics for Legit.ng. He brings into his reporting a wealth of experience in creative and analytical writing. Nnamdi has a major interest in local and global politics. He has a professional certificate from Reuters and was awarded the editor with the best listicle for 2021. Contact: 08062988054, o.nnamdi@corp.legit.ng