“I don’t want to mention name in order not to sound partisan, but if any political party wants to sponsor campaign against this appointment it should do that by checking records and with sound knowledge of its own stewardship. Finally, we need to understand that criticising government policies for political gain is understandable but using this type of happening to deceive the citizens and divide them for political gain is no politics but pure wickedness.”
The little talk generated by the recent appointment of Mr Yusuf Bichi by President Muhammad Buhari as the new DSS boss is not unexpected since the drums of politics are sounding everywhere and 2019 election is a way too near.
However, such unnecessary controversy may go a long way in misleading the public and generating unnecessary tension in favour of the sponsoring politicians against our unity.
The first question that should be asked by a true patriotic Nigerian is not who is the new DG or where does he come from but what can he offer or whether he is competent enough to be appointed. However, since the Nigerian Constitution by section 14 requires the government during appointments to take into consideration Federal character and satisfy the diversity of Nigeria, it will not be out of place to ask where the new DG is coming from, in other words, his state of origin or ethnic identity.
But before we do that it will only be fair if we first ask where the sacked DG is from? Lawan Daura is from the Northwest, Katsina State specifically and Mr. Bichi the new DG is also from the Northwest, Kano State, to be specific.
But before I conclude on this point, here’s a practical example: when Buhari sacked former SGF Babachir, the most senior, Hajiya Habiba Muda Lawal who is from my state, Bauchi, and from my own local government, Toro, took over from him and I even made a post on my Facebook wall that since she is from the Northeast, a zone where Babachir comes from she should be confirmed and allowed to continue as the SGF.
Away from my appeal, there was a strong rumour that lobbying was on, begging for replacement of Babachir with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole whom people see as an experienced politician and unionist that can handle secretarial work of the Presidency and add great political value in favour of the President’s possible 2019 ambition.
If the President’s intention was to promote his ethnic or religious interest, Hajiya Muda Lawal could have been allowed to continue as a Northern strong woman from a reputable and highly placed Fulani family. On the other hand, if the President aimed at promoting his 2019 political ambition, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole could have been his priceless choice. Nonetheless, the President gambled all that and surprisingly appointed Boss Mustapha, a Christian from the same state of the sacked SGF, Babachir David Lawal to satisfy the requirement of our diversity, the Constitution and as a pay back to the people that lost their own.
If the President has done anything otherwise, say, he appointed Oshiomhole, won’t that amount to robbing Peter to pay Paul? Where were the fair weather saleable patriots when the President made that important decision? Where were they when he denied our sister from the Northeast continuity as SGF and appointed our brother from the same Northeast? Double standard is a moral crime!
I don’t want to mention name in order not to sound partisan, but if any political party wants to sponsor campaign against this appointment it should do that by checking records and with sound knowledge of its own stewardship.
Finally, we need to understand that criticising government policies for political gain is understandable but using this type of happening to deceive the citizens and divide them for political gain is no politics but pure wickedness.
*Hussaini Hussaini, Abuja
