Niger Delta media group faults Buhari’s appointments

                                                         
 Association of Niger Delta Media Practitioners (ANDMEP) ,has applauded the anti-corruption war being waged by President Muhammadu Buhari as long as it is aimed at recovering funds looted by corrupt government officials at the detriment of the poor Nigerian masses.

ANDMEP believes that if successfully, fairly, equitably and dispassionately prosecuted in consonance with internationally accepted norms,the anti-corruption war will help reposition Nigeria’s economy and restore the citizenry's confidence in governance.

ANDMEP, however, expresses disappointment over the recent federal appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A situation where indigenes of the Niger Delta are not considered fit or qualified enough to be appointed into the federal cabinet by President Buhari is discouraging, disappointing, disheartening and to an extent, suggestive of conspiracy against a region whose son was very liberal in his own appointments while on the same presidential seat a few months ago.

The appointment of people mainly from a particular tribe into key positions only fuels ethnicism, sectionalism and nepotism; it also negates the principle of federal character as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and appears to be against the spirit of Section 14 (3) of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

ANDMEP therefore urges President Buhari to, without further delay, remedy this imbalance by spreading federal appointments among the six geo-political zones in the spirit of ‘one Nigeria.’

We particularly implore Mr President to learn from the patriotic and large-heartedness of his predecessor, Dr.Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, who not only spread his appointments among the six geo-political zones to give them all a sense of belonging but tended to give more developmental attention to the northern part of Nigeria.

It is our view that such gesture should be reciprocated by president Buhari and he can do this by carrying the Niger Delta along in his scheme of things.

This will help diffuse the rising tension generated by the recent lopsided appointments and reassure Niger Deltans that they are not going to be sidelined by the current administration.

As an association, ANDMEP is ever ready to partner with the federal government to move the country forward.