The Federal
Government has reacted to the criticisms that trailed the appointments of the
substantive Director-General of the Department of State Security, DSS, Yusuf
Magaji Bichi.
Owojela’s
Blog had reported that Bichi’s appointment generated controversies from all
corners, with many accusing the President Muhammdu Buhari-led government of
favouring the north.
However,
reacting to the criticisms, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, said President Muhammadu Buhari was not lopsided in the totality of
appointments made into public offices and cannot be judged only on isolated
case of security sector.
Mohammed in
an interview with Channels Television, advised critics to stop focusing only on
the security sector in their assessment.
He said,
“Those talking about balancing and federal character should stop focusing on
one aspect.
“Let us see
how many Permanent Secretaries, Director-Generals and Executive Directors and
Heads of Parastatals we have in Nigeria today and where they come from.
“This will
give us a more insight to the fact that this administration is not lopsided in
appointments.
“We should
stop looking at only one side to make our judgment and anywhere we notice any
lopsidedness government will correct it.”
The minister
also debunked allegations that the N16.6 billion Paris Club refund to Osun
state was to secure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the
forthcoming governorship election in the state.
“This is not
the first time the Paris Club refund is being made available to states, I think
it should be about the fourth time the government had released the money.
“This
particular tranche would have been drawn a while ago but for the disagreement
between the governors and the Federal Government.
“It is
released to all the states, so, it has nothing to do with the election, the
timing may be a coincidence,” he said.
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