President Muhammadu Buhari has reaffirmed that all appointments he has made so far, are strictly predicated on merit and not on ethnic or regional equation.
Buhari made the shocking statement on Thursday during an interview with Arise TV.
President Buhari has come under serious fire for appointing more northerners into key positions in his administration.
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While responding to questions during the interview, President Buhari said he cannot abandon seniority and merit for balance and principle of federal character.
Moreover, the 1999 Nigerian Constitution notes that key appointments and other privileges should be shared in a manner that will reflect Federal Character, striking a balance across the 36 states.
President Muhammadu Buhari in his argument said, he cannot favour those who have spent shorter years in service over those that have stayed longer.
“People who have been there for 18 years or even for 10 years, they trained in Zaria or in Abeokuta, they come through the ranks.
“And because they served under all the circumstances, the crises and everything and they gradually rise to that status and you think you just pick somebody just to balance up? These positions have to be earned,” he said.
However, the appointment of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Yahaya Faruk, after the sudden death of Major General Attahiru, contradicts the submission of Buhari.
Major Benjamin Ahanotu as the most senior was touted to take over from late Attahiru but he was bypassed and Mr Yahaya was picked as the new army chief.
