There is confusion and acrimony in the air over the recent announcement sacking the former Immigration boss, Martin Abeshi as Buhari appoints another northerner.
Former Immigration boss, Martin Abeshi
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a former Deputy Comptroller General, DCG, of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Mohammed Babandede as the new Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Dailypost reports.
Abeshi was sacked in a letter signed by the Minister of Interior, Lt-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd) on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, entitled: ‘notification of retirement’.
The letter read: “I write to notify you that the last day of your service in the Nigeria Immigration Service has lapsed on Sunday, 15 May 2016 in accordance with the extension granted you vide PRES/92/INTR/7 dated 4 March 2016. Consequently, you are to handover to DCG Mohammed Babandede (NIS/4817) as the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration effective immediately.”
However, the latest development has sparked media outrage as many online users accused the Buhari-led administration of nepotism.
The president has been accused of appointing mostly people from the North to his government.
Also, it was learnt that Abeshi told the Minister of Interior that Babandede is not the most senior Deputy as he didn't understand why he should hand over to him.
According to
ThisDay, Abeshi is quoted as saying: “
Babandede is not the most senior Deputy and that the practice the world over is that the most senior officer takes over pending his/her confirmation or otherwise, and excused himself, leaving the Minister and Babandede”.
As a result of this, people on social media as someone wrote on Nairaland: "I belongs to nobody but I belong to d north. Proudly 5%"