Over SGF Appointment
Amaechi, Onu, Oyegun Out Of Equation
Report as culled from National Weekender suggests that President Muhammadu Buhari is greatly troubled over who to appoint into the sensitive position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) especially as the four candidates presented to him may have been eliminated by the power sharing formula following the emergence of the leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) among several other salient factors.
According to our source in the presidency, the quartet of Chibuike Amaechi, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, John Odigie-Oyegun and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe were presented to Buhari to pick from by party chieftains and leadership after several consultations but it appears none of the men will secure the coveted position.Our source speaks, “Before now all attention has been on Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu whom His Excellency, President Buhari is very comfortable with but after the emergence of Sen. Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President, Onu appears to be sidelined. This is simply because the South East which has been clamouring for that position (SGF) since Buhari’s victory at the polls can be said to have been settled with the Deputy Senate President position.
“On his part, Amaechi does not seem to enjoy the confidence of Buhari. The president’s body language suggests that Amaechi is too radical for his liking, more so, he (Amaechi) cuts a controversial figure whose temperament does not befit the esteem office of SGF. Again some party chieftains argue that Amaechi’s youthful exuberance may negate the workings and activities of an office like the SGF that requires maturity and high sense of composure.
“I learnt that Buhari is not even looking the way of Odigie-Oyegun who was handpicked for the position of National Chairman by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Buhari thinks Oyegun should remain the party’s National Chairman despite pressure from Tinubu’s camp to remove him as National Chairman, following the crisis after the NASS leadership election which the faction accused him (Oyegun) of supporting Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
“Again I know that Buhari and Oyegun had a major altercation in their days with the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP). That squabble affected Buhari’s presidential campaign grossly and I don’t think His Excellency would want to forget that so soon.
“Ambassador Babagana Kingibe stands a better chance to get the SGF, giving his close relationship with Buhari, but he may not get the job for two reasons. First, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara is from the North East which Kingibe hails from and secondly, top party (APC) chieftains argue that Kingibe didn’t play any active role for the party during the general elections. Therefore, the exalted seat of SGF should be given to top party faithful who contributed hugely to the party’s course.
“Again Kingibe may be still hunted by the very unclear circumstances that led to his removal by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua AS Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Pundits believe that Kingibe was working against the then leadership of the PDP under Yar’Adua by leaking out top secrets to the opposition parties (ACN and ANPP). It is further argued that if that allegation was true then Kingibe could do same to the governing party (APC) especially now that the party is facing serious crisis.”
The above revelation is indeed giving President Buhari gray hairs as he has started another round of shopping for candidates for the SGF position.
Our source adds, “I can tell you that His Excellency is already shopping for candidates outside. The four presented to him by various factions and interest groups within the party. He is looking for a credible, young, diligent, patriotic and career person. The search could take him to the North East as against the wishes of some powerful members of the party whose candidates have lost out. It is left to be seen if His Excellency would bow to this powerful forces or go ahead with his plans to bring in his own man.”
Culled from National Weekender
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