” Cruelty is now Buhari’s official governing philosophy ” Farooq A. Kperogi

By a letter dated 30th August, 2020, The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria appointed eight justices of the Court of Appeal for confirmation by the Senate as Supreme Court Justices, they are Hon. Justice Lawal Garba, North-west; Hon. Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, South-west; Hon. Justice Addu Aboki, North-west; Hon. Justice I. M. M. Saulawa, North-west; Hon. Justice Adamu Jauro, North-east; Hon. Justice Samuel Oseji, South-south; Hon. Justice Tijjani Abubakar, North-east; and Hon. Justice Emmanuel Agim, South-south.”

In another request to the Senate dated September 14, 2020, the President sought the confirmation of appointment of the Chairman and Commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC).

The appointees are Nasir Kwarra (Nasarawa), Chairman; Ali Silas Agara (Nasarawa); Mohammed Chiso Dottoji (Sokoto); Gidado Folorunso (Kwara); Ibrahim Mohammed (Bauchi); Joseph Shazin (FCT); Ajayi Sunday (Ekiti); Garba Zakar (Jigawa); Aliyu Muhammad (Yobe); Muhammad Rini (Zamfara); Bala Banya (Katsina); and Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (Lagos)

In another letter to the Senate, the President nominated Aisha Umar to replace Mrs. Chinelo Anohu- Amazu as the Director General of Pension Commission.

The Eastern Bar Forum has observed that in the recent appointments made by the President, a particular section of the Country ie the southeast has been deliberately excluded. In the nominations made for Justices of the Supreme Court, it is amazing to note that none is from the Southeast zone, ditto for the appointments in the National Population Commission. Is the President telling the world that there is no person qualified or competent to be appointed from the Southeast into these positions?

Also worrisome is the nomination made for the replacement of the Director General of the Pension Commission.

Mrs. Chinelo Anohu- Amazu was disengaged when her tenure is yet to expire and Hajia Aisha Dahir-Umar was nominated to replace her as the DG of the Commission. By the extant provisions of Section 21(2) of the Pension Reform Act (PRA), 2014 that ‘ In the event of a vacancy, the President shall appoint a replacement from the geopolitical zone of the immediate past member that vacated office to complete the remaining tenure.’ In this instance, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu- Amazu who was made to vacate office in rather hasty and hazy circumstances has not exhausted her tenure in office, it behoves the President in the light of the provisions of the Pension Reform Act 2014 to nominate someone from the Southeast to replace her in order that the tenure for that particular zone be completed. But alas that seems not to be as someone altogether from a different zone has been nominated to replace her. We call for a reversal of this appointment

On 12th October, 2020, the President again by a letter to the Senate appointed amongst others Ms. Lauretta Onochie as Commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission.

This appointment smacks of insensitivity, callousness, cluelessness and wickedness on the part of the President. Lauretta Onochie is a Senior Special Assistant to the President on social media. A rabid defender of the President and his party the APC. That same woman in flagrant abuse and rape on the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended is now nominated for appointment as an INEC Commissioner to be responsible for the conduct of a free and fair election. Mr. President you have gone too far.

A card-carrying member of the APC from Ward 5 Onicha Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta state Onochie’s nomination is in clear violation of paragraph 14 of the 3rd schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended which forbids a person involved in partisan politics to hold office as a member of INEC.

This is one of the heights of cruelty by this administration bringing to fore the apt words of
Farooq A. Kperogi

We call for the immediate withdrawal of the name of Ms. Lauretta Onochie as a Commissioner in INEC and also call on the Senate to shoot down her nomination as it is illegal, unfair and contrary to equity and good conscience.

We also call on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to adhere strictly to the provisions of the constitution on federal character and apply same across the board. We shall never be silent anymore. Enough is enough.

S. Long Williams Esq.
Governor, EBF