SGF: Our appointments not based on sentiments
The new Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal yesterday said his appointment and that of four others from the north by President Muhammadu Buhari are devoid of ethnic or religious sentiments.
President Buhari Thursday appointed Alhaji Abba Kyari as his Chief of Staff; retired Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali as, Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service and Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi, Comptroller-General, the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Others are Senator Ita Solomon J. Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) and Suleiman A. Kawu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).
The appointments were greeted with a great deal of indignation, generally from the southern part of the country, which saw them as favouring northerners.
However, taking their oath of office before the President at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday, the SGF said none of them would have been considered worthy of the appointment if it had been based on tribal, religious or political consideration.
He said: “We want to thank God for granting Mr President the vision, wisdom, kindness and boldness to consider us worthy for positions of responsibilities.
“We did not have to pass examination to get appointed into these positions; not because of our tribes, or our faiths or our political groups that we were considered worthy for these positions.
“If it were 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. It is a privilege to serve Nigerians in these capacities at this point in time”.
The SGF pledged that they would not fail Buhari and the country, emphasising that they would strive at all times to serve Nigeria with excellence, hard work and integrity.
“Nigeria is at the threshold of achieving greatness, and it is our honour and privilege to be senior members of the team that will propel the country to this greatness. “We have in you (the president) and the vice president, leaders that lead by examples, leaders that are focused and leaders whose goal is to build a Nigeria where there is liberty, security, economic prosperity and the rule of law.
“We are grateful that we are part of the team to deliver this goal. Accept our assurances that by the grace of God, we will not fail you, we will not fail our country, we will not fail ourselves, our families and our friends.
“By the grace of God, we will not fail you either. We will strive at all times to serve our country and to serve you with excellence, hard work and integrity”.
Buhari also swore in Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd) as National Security Adviser (NSA) and Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
The president did not make any remarks at the event. Immediately after the SGF’s remarks, Buhari asked the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, to say the closing prayer.
The event was witnessed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, the governors of Jigawa and Katsina States, service chiefs, among others.
The Presidency weekend said Buhari would address all other concerns in later appointments. He is yet to form his cabinet since inauguration three months ago.