- Niger, an APC State got only 4 Seats!
- Calls on Education Minister to resign for Nepotism…
By Abiola Olawale
Protests have begun to erupt in some quarters of the country over the recent appointment of 555 individuals as members of the Governing Council of Federal government-owned Universities, Federal Polytechnics, and Federal Colleges of Education in the country.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, May 18, 2024, approved the list of pro-chancellors and chairmen of the Governing Board of universities, polytechnic and colleges of education.
While some had commended the move, describing it as a step in the right direction, others have pointed out an alleged attempt to favour a state over another state.
This is because 32 indigenes of Adamawa, the home state of Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, made the list of those appointed to the governing councils while many states got only four or six. In fact, some said Lagos state got nothing! in Cross Rivers, only six people were considered for those positions.
Also, Taraba State got only two appointments, while Niger State has only 4 members on the list.
Several citizens have expressed concern regarding the unequal distribution of appointments to the governing councils among the states.
Going by the number of appointments which is 555, each of the 36 states of the Federation is supposed to have at least 15 people, if appointments were evenly shared.
However, Adamawa State alone got about 6% of the total appointments, triggering calls on the education minister to resign for alleged unlawful acts of nepotism
An insider source of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the appointments came as a surprise, particularly with Adamawa getting the most slots when it’s not an APC controlled state.
The source wondered why a state controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 32 members while states like Niger which are under the APC got fewer appointments.
However, several Nigerians who have taken to their respective social media platforms to express their views on the matter, suggest that the minister has exhibited evident inappropriate nepotism in favour of Adamawa State to garner their support for the upcoming 2027 general election. Said an anayst: “ He should resign honorably for open nepotism and trying to paint the Tinubu government in bad light…The president means well but this minister is not aligning with Mr president’s vision for Nigeria”
The Adamawa state indigene appointed are listed below;
1. Amb Kevin Peter
2. Sen. Binta Masi Garba
3. Hon Umar Duhu
4. Abdulrahman Yaji (Kakakin Mubi)
5. Danladi Chamba
6. Haj Fadimatu Nuhu Mohammed
7. Hon Titsi Ganama
8. Alh Ibrahim Bilal
9. Baba Galadima
10. Muniru Wambai
11. Sen M. Mana
12. HE Bala Ngilari
13. Dr J. Baba Kwaghe
14. Patience Charles Kwache.
15.HE Martin Babale
16. Sen. Abubakar Girei
17. Bar Zainab Marwa
18. Hon. Mijinyawa Kugama.
19. Joshua Atiku.
20. Julius Kadala
21. Sen. Grace Bent.
22. Bar. Danjuma Mohammed.
23. Sen. Silas Zeingina
24. Isa Jibir Grema
25. Abdulsalami Mohammed Bala
26. Umar Mohammed Jada.
27. Hammanjoda Faran.
28. Gidado Yusuf Ribadu
29. Engr. Bawuro Yahaya
30. Hon Wokeri Filibus
31 Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi
32. Barr Salihu dy lamurde
Below here are some of the reactions curated on the social media;
“Nepotism in its full splendour. This development will not go down well with APC. How I wish the party’s stakeholders at the national level would do something swiftly about these one-sided appointments.”(Sadiku Garba)
“This is against the run of play and the height of injustice against the very long-standing and deserving members of the Taraba state chapter of the APC who through thick and thin have remained committed to the cause of the party. I believe that the APC at the national level will look at this act of political infamy and intervene.”(@Ibrahim)
