By Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin
Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday said that the recent political appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari were in order.
Oshiomhole, in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, said from his perspective, all the persons appointed by the president deserved their new positions as they were qualified to head their different portfolios.
Oshiomhole, who was obviously reacting to the massive outcry generated by the 29 new appointments recently made by the president, noted that in particular, the appointments of the new Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Comptroller General of Customs and Presidential Liaison Officers to the National Assembly, were based on merit and not political sentiments or ethnic consideration.
“The appointments are based on merit and not political sentiments or ethnic consideration as some tribal jingoists would have us believe. The Nigerian nation has come to a point where we have to use the best hands to confront the peculiarity of our problems,” Oshimhole noted.
He said for Nigeria to develop rapidly it must jettison primordial sentiments and equally employ unusual to solve its numerous problems.
He noted that the level of decay in the country at present required very seasoned hands and incorruptible Nigerians, many of which are part of the new appointments made by the government.
He said the president ought to be commended rather than vilified for taking the bold step in selecting capable hands.
“If we must make a huge difference in the lives of Nigerians, things must be done differently. We cannot continue to apply same template in the recruitment of persons and expect different results.
The new appointees are Nigerians who have served the country in different capacities before now and deserved every bit of our cooperation and support to make them excel in their new jobs,” he added.