President Mohammadu Buhari has sworn-in the newly appointed secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal.
The swearing-in ceremony which took place at the council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The swearing-in ceremony also featured other newly appointed presidential aides.
Recall that President Buhari approved some appointments last week Thursday, August 27. He approved Babachir David Lawal as chief of staff to the president, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) as new comptroller-general, Nigerian customs service; Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi comptroller-general, Nigerian immigration service, Senator Ita S.J. Enang as SSA to the president on national assembly matters (Senate) and Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu as SSA to the president on national assembly matters (House of Representatives).
However, it was reported that Buhari did not comment on the uproar that his latest appointment caused after swearing in the new officials. He also did not give any remarks. But speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the SGF, Mr. Lawal, said they were not appointed because of their places of origin.
“We did not have to pass examination to get appointed into these positions,” he said. “(It was) not because of our tribes, or our faiths, or our political groups that we were considered worthy for these positions. “If it is such, I am sure none of us would have been considered worthy of these appointments. We appreciate the president and we appreciate God that he has blessed us with these privileged appointments,” Mr. Lawal said.
The recent appointments by President Buhari have drawn criticisms from southerners who accuse the president of falling short of the ‘federal character’ that he preaches, the north has also been unsettled over allegations that the president is trying to favour one part of the north above the other.
These recent appointments by Buhari brings the total number of his appointees to 30, with only seven of them coming from the southern part of the country and the rest from the north.
Meanwhile, Catholic bishops have expressed their support for President Muhammadu Buhari for his anti-corruption war.
