Ex-minister still has more to say about Buhari’s recent appointments

monjola sotubo

September 1, 2015 12:29 PM

Fani-Kayode, in a lengthy article titled “Nigerian President or King of the North”, said that Buhari’s recent appointments show that those that have been lusting for total northern domination for the last 55 years have finally had their way.

Femi Fani-Kayode

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the recent appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari which many have said show a bias towards the north.

Excerpts from the article below:

Judging from recent events, with President Buhari now in power it appears that those that have been lusting for total northern domination for the last 55 years have finally had their way.

The inability to think deeply or profoundly is a curse. The inability to read widely and learn from others is a pitiful and costly affliction. If there were ever a time for profound thinking and deep and sober reflection when it comes to the affairs of our nation it is now.

I say this because only three months after President Buhari has been sworn into office the power configuration, vis a vis north and south, has resulted in the following mess.

There is no gainsaying that this is unacceptable. Some of us warned that this would happen but we were insulted and lampooned for doing so. These appointments are not only lopsided but they are also a manifestation of the fact that in just three months southern Nigeria has finally been relegated to being little more than an occupied region and a vassal state. The people of the south appear to have been placed in servitude and bondage. Our chains may be invisible but they are very much there.

The question must be asked: is Buhari the President of Nigeria or is he the King of the north? Some have argued that the federal character formula has no place in our affairs anymore and that merit ought to be the only criteria for government appointments.

Permit me to qoute a young man from twitter who responded to that absurd logic rather well by saying ‘’if federal character isn't important, why is the Vice President also not from Daura? Educated people should not speak like illiterates’’.

Others have said that we should wait for the ministerial list and that after that things would balance out. Again this is absurd logic and those that spout such convoluted thrash appear to have forgotten the fact that the President is compelled by law and the constitution to appoint a Minister from every state of the federation, including each of the southern states.

Whether he is President of Nigeria or King of the north Buhari would do well to retrace his steps. The consequences of not doing so for both his government and the unity of our country will be grave and costly. The south cannot be subjugated and treated with contempt and the people of the south will never be slaves. Fairness and equity in the distribution of national resources and key government appointments are a fundamental pre-requisite for peace, security and national unity in our country.

It has served our collective interest well for many years. Those that seek to upset the applecart and jettison it today are not considering the inevitable and monumental consequences of their actions. Power may have returned to the north but the people of the south must be treated with respect, sensitivity, dignity, fairness and decency. Those that refuse to accept this counsel and that insist on charting a different course do so at their own peril.

monjola sotubo