Buhari Swears In SGF, Others, Makes No Remarks

President Mohammadu Buhari has sworn-in the newly appointed secretary
to the government of the federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal.

The swearing-in ceremony according to Premium Times, took place at the
council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The swearing-in
ceremony also featured other newly appointed presidential aides.

Recall that President Buhari approved some appointments last week
Thursday, August 27. He approved Babachir David Lawal as chief of
staff to the president, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) as new
comptroller-general, Nigerian customs service; Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi
comptroller-general, Nigerian immigration service, Senator Ita S.J.
Enang as SSA to the president on national assembly matters (Senate)
and Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu as SSA to the president on national assembly
matters (House of Representatives).

However, it was reported that Buhari did not comment on the uproar
that his latest appointment caused after swearing in the new
officials. He also did not give any remarks. But speaking on behalf of
his colleagues, the SGF, Mr. Lawal, said they were not appointed
because of their places of origin.

"We did not have to pass examination to get appointed into these
positions," he said. "(It was) not because of our tribes, or our
faiths, or our political groups that we were considered worthy for
these positions. "If it is 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," Mr. Lawal said.

The recent appointments by President Buhari have drawn criticisms from
southerners who accuse the president of falling short of the 'federal
character' that he preaches, the north has also been unsettled over
allegations that the president is trying to favour one part of the
north above the other.

These recent appointments by Buhari brings the total number of his
appointees to 30, with only seven of them coming from the southern
part of the country and the rest from the north.

Meanwhile, Catholic bishops have expressed their support for President
Muhammadu Buhari for his anti-corruption war.

-Naij.com