Reps set to probe Buhari’s “lopsided” appointments   

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a resolution to probe the alleged lopsided appointments made by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Reps, during plenary on Tuesday, July 18, resolved to probe the appointments made during Buhari’s eight years as Nigeria’s President.

A motion to probe Buhari’s appointments was moved by Labour Party (LP) member representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency, Paul Nnamchi.

The lawmaker, while moving the motion, also said the Federal Character Commission (FCC) should be proved for allegedly abdicating its constitutional responsibilities.

Noting that the federal character principle was included in Nigeria’s constitution to promote national cohesion and equal opportunities, he argued that there “exists a brazen domination” of bureaucratic, economic, media, and political positions by a section of the country.

“Twenty-four years after its constitutional entrenchment, the perception is that there exists brazen domination of the bureaucratic, economic, media, and political posts at all levels by a section of the country at the expense of the others,” Nnamchi said,

The lawmaker also claimed that there was a “clash of interests” among the commissioners at the commission.

“Federal Character Commission has virtually abdicated its constitutional and statutory responsibilities and degenerated into personality clash of interest among its commissioners as was the case about a year ago.”

The House of Representatives adopted the motion and subsequently set up an ad hoc committee to investigate “the returns on appointments undertaken by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under its (FCC) jurisdiction between 2015–2023″.

The lawmakers also requested the Commission to submit a report of appointments in the MDAs between 2015 and 2023.

During his tenure as President, Buhari was accused of favouritism and nepotism in federal appointments, but the former military head of state defended his actions.

In June 2020, a group of Southern leaders filed a lawsuit against Buhari in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. They alleged that Buhari’s administration had marginalised the Southern region of Nigeria in its appointments since 2015.

The leaders argued that the composition of the government of the federation under Buhari, and most of its agencies, did not reflect the principle of federal character. They claimed that there was a predominance of persons from a few states and sectional groups dominating the opportunities in the government, a situation which they said threatened national unity and integration.

The lawsuit was filed by 16 Southern leaders, including Edwin Clark, Reuben Fasoranti, John Nnia Nwodo, and Pogu Bittus.

But in an interview with BBC Hausa in 2015, Buhari explained the reason behind his appointments, saying he nominated people he could trust, and who had worked with him for years.

He also said the constitution allows him complete control over his choice of close officials. Buhari also made it clear that the appointments also served as a reward for those who remained loyal to him for years.