REVERSAL OF JONATHAN’S TWILIGHT APPOINTMENTS: BUHARI IS IN ORDER

16^th August, 2015

PRESS RELEASE:

REVERSAL OF JONATHAN’S TWILIGHT APPOINTMENTS: BUHARI IS IN ORDER

President Muhammadu Buhari recently sacked the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Alhaji Sanusi Ado Bayero. He has simultaneously appointed Alhaji Habib Abdullahi as his replacement. It will be recalled that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan had sacked the latter in the twilight of his tenure and appointed the former.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) gives kudos to President Buhari for taking this bold step. We find the reversal of all appointments and sacks carried out by the former ruler mandatory because they were executed with the style of a rampaging herd of elephants keen on bringing down anything that stood in its way.

At a point, Nigerians started asking themselves if, at best, Aso Rock under Jonathan did not need the attention of psychologists. This question became necessary when in the last few days Jonathan displayed great dexterity and utmost pleasure in relieving Nigerians of their legitimate sources of income. The cry of vendetta rented the air and not a few social critics called for caution.

By reinstating Habib Abdullahi, Buhari has not only proved that he is in full control but that he will stand on the side of justice and fair play any day. The step taken has also proved that the president cannot be intimidated by professional blackmailers and executive witch-hunters, be they prospective exile seekers or self-confessed danfo drivers and touts who accidentally found themselves becoming numero uno citizens at the state level.

Also praiseworthy is the recent sack of all the service chiefs and their replacement. The military under Jonathan became so heavily compromised that it almost became an object of ridicule among Nigerians particularly over the certificate saga. If we may ask, has President Buhari’s secondary school certificate been found eventually? If so, to what or to who do we owe this greatest ‘miracle’ of our time?

Ditto for the general shakeup in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation which had become an open basket into which the nation’s resources were poured, only for the basket’s contents to disappear overnight. The revamping of our refineries in PortHarcourt, Warri and Kaduna are living testimonies of the change mantra.    

We appeal to critics of Buhari’s war against corruption to employ decorum, finesse and parliamentary language in their quest for attention. In particular, we advise Governor Ayo Fayose to stop desecrating the hallowed office of executive governor with his anti-Buhari belligerence, his foul language and his motor-park antics. A state governor must be a symbol of authority, maturity and integrity.  

Finally, MURIC lauds the sobriety of President Buhari. We charge him to remain undaunted. Mr. President must remain focused in his anti-corruption crusade. We affirm that corruption is party-blind and unlike Jonathan who hobnobbed with international drug barons and gave national awards to kleptomaniacs and those who smeared Nigeria’s name abroad by jumping bail in London while disguised as women, we repose full confidence in Buhari as the man  who will bring pen-thieves to their knees.     

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)