Gen Sani Abacha’s Man To Take Over FRSC Boss, Chidoka Job, As 6 Others Jostle For Position And History Of FRSC

Odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com reports that former Principal General staff officer to late head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, Maj. General Lawrence Onoja has been tipped to succeed the corps marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr Osita Chidoka, who has been appointed as minister.

A source close to the Presidency said in Abuja yesterday that the federal government had decided to appoint Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja to replace Chidoka based on his robust military antecedent which the FRSC would need in the face of the insecurity in the country.

With the confirmation of Osita Chidoka as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the battle line were drawn among the contenders over who becomes the next FRSC’s helmsman.

If Onoja succeeds the current FRSC boss eventually, he will have beaten eight deputy corps marshals (DCM) who see themselves as ‘insiders’ that must be favoured over an ‘outsider,’ Onoja.

The contenders are, Lawrence Onoja; Yemi Oyeyemi; Adeyi Abu; Demola Lawal; Ojeme Ewurujakpor; Chidi Nwachukwu; Danjuma Garba; AK Hassan and Yemi Omidiji.

It would be recalled that right from the onset, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC has always been drafted from pool of experience outside the commission, of which Osita is a beneficiary.

Meanwhile odogwuemekaodogwu.blogspot.com informed further that with the Senate clearance of the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr. Osita Chidoka, as minister, the jostle for his job has started. Officials of the FRSC are hoping that the Federal               Government would pick his successor from within the organisation, instead from outside, as was the case in the past.
FRSC sources stated that since the creation of the corps in 1988, only the pioneer Corps Marshal, Dr. Olu Agunloye, who together with the then Chairman, Prof. Wole Soyinka, were at the helm, has come from within. Two other appointees from the system: Danyaro Yakassai (1999-2000) and Abba Wakilbe (2000-2003) only headed the commission in acting capacity. The other substantive heads, Major-Gen Haladu Hannaniya (1993-2000 and 2003-2007 and Chidoka (2007-to date), came from outside the FRSC.
Daily Sun learnt that already, there is an interplay of anger, suspense and subdued protests among officers of the corps, as government was rumoured to considering people with no road safety background, among them a politician and a retired Army general and former military administrator from the North-Central to take over from Chidoka.
However, dismissing this as a mere speculation, FRSC insiders believe that the successor is likely to emerge from the very top of the commission’s hierarchy, particularly among the six Deputy Corps marshals (DCMs).
Recurring in the discussions that commenced since Chidoka’s nomination for ministerial position last week is Boboye Oyeyemi, a DCM in charge of Motor Vehicle Administration. Oyeyemi, who is next to Chidoka in rank, is said to be one of the officers who rose through the ranks from the early days of the para-military organisation in Gbagada, Lagos, to his current position.
Also widely mentioned as likely successor is Yemi Omodiji, a DCM currently heading Special Duties. Though Omidiji is described as one of the most experienced officers at the top, unconfirmed source say he will retire soon.
Other DCMs being linked with the job are Chidi Nwachukwu (Admin/Human Resources); Adei Abu (Training); Danjuma Garba (Operations); and the only female officer at that level, Ojeme Ewhrudjakpo, who was decorated with her new rank on Monday, having been promoted recently from her former rank of Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM).
Also, about16 new ACMs were decorated on Monday, bringing the total number of officers on that rank to about 30. Top officers who do not want to be unveiled, decried the practice of appointing the head of the commission from outside, arguing that 26 years after its establishment, the system is ripe to produce its own boss.
References were made to the appointment of the Inspector-General of Police, the Controller-General of the Customs and the heads of other similar para-military bodies, which are usually made, without exception, from within the respective organizations.
One of the officers, an ACM, said: “We have enough capable, experienced and career road safety officers from the system to succeed Chidoka. Appointing an outsider again will set the body back by many years”. Also, a top ranking officer in Abuja, remarked that the corps is making tremendous progress with Chidoka’s team. His argument is that for the sake of continuity, somebody who is deeply involved in running the commission at the moment be made to take over instead a politician or an ex-military officer, who will spend years studying his new environment before settling down to work.
A consultant on road safety matters and former top FRSC commander, Ofem David, agreed with his former colleagues, but noted that many competent officers who have left the organisation, but are doing well, should also be considered. In 2007 when Chidoka was appointed Corps Marshal, there was bitter opposition by many of the officers from the corps, who questioned the criteria that led to the choice.
However, speaking to Daily Sun, some of the officers who led the protests seven years ago, however, conceded that Chidoka proved those who opposed his appointment then wrong with his remarkable performance, which they said has transformed the agency.
There were speculations that President Jonathan might spring a surprise by making his choice from the lower ranks. But majority of those who spoke to the Daily Sun advised against “such a costly mistake,” because, according to them, it will mean dismissing a generation of experienced, well-trained and competent top officers – an action which will set the agency back by many years, they argued.
Chidoka could not be reached for comments on his ministerial appointment and possible successor, but it was gathered from sources at the FRSC headquarters in Abuja, that he was as surprised by the development as other people in the office, who recalled that as at the time the news filtered out, he was busy with long-term plans.

Source Leadership Newspaper and The Sun Newspaper Report