….. Says, President Busy Imprinting His Name On Annals Of Anti-Democratic Despots
….. Posits, Tinubu Undermining Office Of VP
“….As much as I am not a supporter of Vice President Kashim Shettima, I must state as a concerned Nigerian that I am not happy with the way and manner such a highly profiled politician is being treated by this administration and turning such a highly respected politician to an agent of government solely for attending wedding and burial ceremonies. This is sad, unfortunate and unacceptable….”
The erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), and presently a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has described the Presidential Census Committee set up by President Bola Tinubu as “one goof, too many”, insisting that posterity will not be kind to the present APC administration, in view of the many wrong steps it has continued to take.
Chief Eze, in his widest imagination, could not fathom the rationale behind some of the bizarre, undemocratic and unruly actions of a man who claims to be among patriotic democrats who fought the military junta to enthrone democracy in Nigeria.
Eze, a member of the APC Legacy Media Team, in a statement issued in Port-Harcourt at the weekend, expressed utmost dismay over the Census Committee announced by President Tinubu, with only one section of the country dominating membership of the Committee for the highly sensitive national assignment.
That apart, the APC Chieftain tagged Tinubu, a nepotist, accusing him of using tribal sentiments as a last resort to gain political traction and visibility ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“He knows how he won the 2023 presidential election. It is sad and unacceptable that the President, from day one of his inauguration on May 29, 2023, made his re-election bid in 2027, a centrepiece of his administration’s policy, thereby relegating genuine democratic governance to the backdrop. Eze stated.
“Now, to avoid being humiliated out of office in 2027, Mr President is doing everything humanly, politically and tribally possible to remain in power for 8 years.
“Of course, the best way to actualise his ambition is to garner the support of his kinsmen by fixing them in virtually all sensitive and revenue-generating establishments in a multi-tribal nation like Nigeria, not minding whose ox is gored.
“As if nothing is wrong with Tinubu’s act of nepotism and tribal politics, he recently inaugurated the Census Committee populated mostly by the people of South West with no representation from North-East, South-South and of course South-East, that doesn’t even exist in his political and administrative calculation, the APC Chieftain said.
For the avoidance of doubt and to put the records straight, members of the high-level committee on national population and housing census inaugurated by President Tinubu are as follows: 1. Bagudu – North West; 2. Kwarra – North Central; 3. Idris – North West; 4. Edun – South West; 5. Adedeji – South West; 6. Odusote – South West; 7. Okunola – South West; 8. Oyinade -South West.
According to report, the eight-member committee includes the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji; Director General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote; the Principal Private Secretary to the President, Hakeem Muri Okunola; and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Operations (Office of the Chief of Staff), Mrs Nathan-Marsh.
“It is sad and unfortunate that a President of a plural and diversified nation like Nigeria, in setting up such a sensitive Committee did not consider the federal character before his appointments.
“To President Tinubu, nobody from North-East, South-South and South-East is found worthy to be a member of such sensitive committee? I wonder how the dealings of such crafted and lopsided committee can do justice to this great nation, Eze queried.
The former spokesperson of the defunct nPDP noted that census is crucial for national development, accurate planning, and effective decision-making in healthcare, education, security, and economic planning.
Nigeria’s last census, Eze observed, was in 2006, nearly two decades ago, and it recorded a population of 140,431,790, with 71,345,488 males and 69,086,302 females.
Therefore, Eze drew the attention of the President that his planned census is for Nigeria and not for South-West region.
Similarly, the APC Chieftain wondered why President Tinubu can’t handover power to Vice President Kashim Shetimma whenever he travels outside the shores of Nigeria, warning that the office of the VP is an exalted position that shouldn’t be sacrificed on the alter of political expediency.
“As much as I am not a supporter of Vice President Kashim Shettima, I must state as a concerned Nigerian that I am not happy with the way and manner such a highly profiled politician is being treated by this administration and turning such a highly respected politician to an agent of government solely for attending wedding and burial ceremonies. This is sad, unfortunate and unacceptable
“He may not have the courage to voice out his frustration but the fact remains that for the two years that he has serviced as the Vice President of this country and number of times that President Tinubu have traveled outside this country, Mr President has not found it fit and needful to handover power to the Vice President.
“This act is not only condemnable but against the spirit and letters of the Constitution of this country, Eze stated.
Speaking further on the lopsidedness of President Tinubu’s appointments, Eze stated that Mr. President is treating all other sections of this country as if they are conquered nation.
A cursory look at the following appointments from one section of this country, according to Eze, simply exposes that “this Tinubu administration is totally off the mark of why most of us took the risk of the formation of APC”.
1. Chief of Staff – Femi Gbajabiamila
2. Minister of Petroleum Resources – Bola Ahmed Tinubu
3. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy – Wale Edun
4. Minister of Interior – Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
5. Minister of Power – Adebayo Adelabu
6. Minister of Solid Minerals – Dele Alake
7. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy – Bosun Tijani
8. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy – Adegboyega Oyetola
9. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment – Jumoke Oduwole
10. Minister of State, Environment – Moruf Olalekan Adebayo
11. Minister for Youth Development – Ayodele Olawande
12. Minister of State, Health – Salako Isiaq Adekunle Adeboye
13. Chief Justice of Nigeria – Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun
14. Chief of Army Staff – Olufemi Olalotunbosun Oluyede
15. Inspector General of Police – Kayode Egbetokun
16. DG, Department of State Services – Adeleai Oluwatosin Ajayi
17. Commander, Brigade of Guards – Adebis Oluasola Olasanya
18. Chief of Defence Space Administration – Larre Ibrahim Oluwatoyin
19. Commandant, National Defence College – Olumuyiwa Morakinyo Olotu
20. CG, Nigeria Customs Service – Bashir Adewale Adeniyi
21. CG, Federal Fire Service – Abdulganiyu Olayi Jaji
22. Accountant-General of the Federation – Shamsudeen Babatunde
23. Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria – Olayemi Michael Cardoso
24. Chairman, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission – Ola Olukoyede
25. Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service – Zaccheaus Adedeji Adedeji
26. CCE, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission – Gbenga Komolafe
27. DG/CEO, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency – Dayo Mobereola
28. MD/CEO, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria – Gbenga Alade
29. DG, National Pension Commission – Mojisola Yahaya
30. DG, Bureau of Public Procurement – Adebayo Adewusi
31. MD/CEO, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria – Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku
32. DG, Bureau of Public Enterprises – Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi
33. MD/CEO, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority – Olufemi Ogunyemi
34. Commissioner/CEO, National Insurance Commission – Olusegun Aya Omosehin
35. DG/CEO, National Identity Management Commission – Abisoye Coker-Odusote
36. DG/CEO, National Space Research and Development Agency – Matthew Adepoju
37. DG/CEO, National Centre for Technology Management – Olushola Odusanya
38. DG/CEO, National Automotive Design and Development Council – Oluseunmi Joseph Osanipin
39. Chairman, Nigerian Ports Authority Board – Adedayo Clement Adeyeye
40. MD, Federal Housing Authority – Oladimeji Oyetunde Ojo
41. ES, National Lottery Trust Fund – Tosin Adeyanju
42. DG/CEO, National Lottery Regulatory Commission – Lanre Gbajabiamila
43. CEO, Nigerian Postal Service – Omotola Odeyemi
44. CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission – Vincent Olatunji
45. MD/CEO, Galaxy Backbone Limited – Ibrahim Adejuyi Adeyanju
46. DG/CEO, National Biosafety Management Agency – Agnes Yemisi Asagbra
47. DG, National Agency for the Control of AIDS – Temipole Ilori
48. DG, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control – Mojirola Christianah Adeyeye
49. CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency – Muji Aina
50. DG, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control – Jide Idris
51. Statistician-General, National Bureau of Statistics – Adeyemi Adeniran
52. DG, National Sugar Development Council – Aliyu Yakubu
53. DG/CEO, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria – Lekam Badadjo
54. VC/CEO, Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission – Adetokunbo Aloba
55. National Coordinator, National Social Safety-Net Coordinating Office – Funmi Olotu
56. DG, National Sports Commission – Bukola Olawale Olopade
57. DG, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation – Folorunsho Coker
58. DG/CEO, National Orientation Agency – Lanre Issa-Onilu
59. Registrar Surveyors Council of Nigeria – Olakunle Olugbemiro
60. President/CEO Digital Bridge Institute – Opeyemi Dele-Ajayi
61. DG/CEO Industrial Training Fund – Oluwatoyin Afiz Ogun
62. DG/CEO Nigerian Institute of Medical Research – John Oladapo Obafunwa
63. DG/CEO National Institute for Hospitality Tourism – Abisoye Fagade
64. National Power Training Institute of Nigeria – Ahmed Bolaji Nagode
65. DG National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies – Ayo Omotayo
66. Administrator/CEO Public Service Institute of Nigeria – Abdul-Ganiyu Obatoyinbo
67. Registrar Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board – Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede
68. Registrar/CEO Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria – Josiah Ajiboye
69. MD/CEO Nigerian Education Loan Fund – Akintunde Sawyer
70. DG/CEO Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria – Patrick Olusami Adebola
71. MD/CEO Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation – Folashade Joseph
72. Mr. Ayo Sotinrin – MD, Bank of Agriculture
73. Sowade Oluwakayode – Executive Director, Ogun-Osun River Basin
74. Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi – Programme Director, Presidential CNG Initiative
75. Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye – DG, NYSC
76. Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbade – Chairman, Nigeria Independent System Operator (NISO)
77. Mr. Idris Olurinnimbe – Chairman, UBEC
78. Prof. Balaji Akinyemi – Chairman, Nigerian Institute for International Affairs
79. Olusegun Omosehin & Engr. Wole Ogunsanya – Board Members, NCDMB
80. Senator Surajdeen Bashorun Ajibola – Chairman, National Sugar Development Council
81. Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi – Chairman, NOTAP
82. Aide-de-Camp (ADC) – Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf
83. Special Adviser on Information and Strategy – Bayo Onanuga
84. Special Adviser on Media – Sunday Dare
85. Senior Special Assistant (Media) – Tunde Rahman
86. Senior Special Assistant on Digital and New Media – O’Tega Ogra
87. Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) – Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim
88. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters – Jami’u Abiola
“With the aforementioned insensitive appointments, no Nigerian with unbiased mind will support this administration based on the above actions.
“I pray that President Tinubu will have a change of heart and govern this nation as a true patriotic leader he claims to be.
“He transcends this level of nepotism, and should purge his administration of the tag of government of ethnic bigot.
“The fear of losing power in 2027 and the crave to hold unto power have made the President lose track as he has continued to goof in too many steps taken by his administration” Eze lamented.
