Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister of State for Labour and Employment
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Festus Keyamo, SAN, has come under the flak of Nigerians for his tweet targeted at “most Nigerians,” when he reacted on Wednesday to the comments that are still trailing the appointment of Professor Ibrahim Gambari as Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a tweet after Buhari unveiled the chief of staff at the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday Keyamo, said: “It is quite sad that we have pushed ourselves to the point in this country that when any public appointment is announced, most Nigerians would first research the tribe of the appointment before they research his academic qualification and competence for the job.”
The tweet, which has been attracted over 1,000 retweets and 4,000 likes as at press time is also generating replies to other comments. Many harp on the nature of appointments by the current government, the serial violations of the Constitutional provisions on appointments by failing to reflect the Federal Character principle, the resultant disruptions to the polity and resultant mimicry by personnel manning institutions.
Unekwu Eguwudu @UrekuE commented:
“It is quite sad that we have gotten to the point in this country that before any appointment is made, our present leaders would first research the tribe of the person to be appointed with no recourse to his academic qualifications and competence for the job.”
Engr Joe @engrjoee, said;
As a lawyer, I expect you to know about “Federal Character. You are crossing the line with this party partisanship. What has happened to you?
Moses Esson John @ jaymoses, said:
Hon. Minister, that is how bad the country has degenerated… we would get there one day.
Adetunji Adeliwura @freddy said;
It is quite sad that public schools in Nigeria are now schools, “for d poor and needy,”. That’s what should bother all of us not the stupid political appointment that has not worked for the collective growth of Nigerians. It’s a shame! No average (income) earner would risk public schools.
Chijoke PhD Nuclear Engineer, wrote:
“Have you forgotten the 79% and 5% doctrine of this regime?
Rabiu Ibrahim @Rabson815 wrote”
“Marriage of inconvenience by our colonial masters, divide and rule adopted by our politicians; it’s a strategy they use during campaign and after they will preach one Nigeria. How is that possible? No be today. E don tey…”
Paul amon @amonPS
Why wasn’t Obasanjo and Yar’Ardua accused of the same lopsided appointments?
Alfa @gwittwit, replied:
If Buhari as you claim is the architect of the division must every person serve as the building block of that division? What is the difference between those accusing PMB of nepotism and themselves?
UGO @magemann 22 replied:
Need I say there is no problem with Fulani occupying a post. The problem is making it an agenda. It is that simple. It evokes justice in a sense and engenders division. May be you don’t seem to understand or care to note the possible policy implication of such move.”
PROF LATTE @honilatte commented:
APC set the standard… stop being a hypocrite and enjoy your government while it lasts, sir.
D’ sleekysly@sleeky sly 999 replied:
Can you say he is enjoying the government? A junior minister after all his labour for the @offical APC Nig….”
ThankGod Ukachukwu@kcna commented:
There is something called Federal Character in the Nigerian Constitution which comes before academic qualification and competence. We didn’t put it there. The drafters of the Nigerian Constitution put it there for equitable distribution of federal appointments”
