Aregbesola, Oshiomole, others stage ‘Walk-out’ in Aso-Rock; angry with Buhari

Reports say APC Governors yesterday expressed anger and disappointment with President Buhari  over what they called Buhari’s insensitive disregard for Party leadership in his appointments.
Recall, that last week, the Presidency sent names of Ambassadorial nominees for confirmation, by the Senate.

It was learnt that most of the 23 APC Governors are angry, because their candidates for the Ambassadorial posts, were rejected by the Presidency.

The angry Governors however called on the President to change some of the persons he had nominated as ambassadors.

The governors said this was necessary to ensure fairness and equal representation among the various zones in the states.

They presented their complaints to Buhari yesterdayduring a two-hour meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.The president however asked them to put their complaints in writing.
The president had sent the names of 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees to the Senate last Thursday.
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong told State House reporters after the meeting that the president had promised to look into the complaints by various states.

Governors, APC Leaders, and Ministers, who are party leaders in many States, especially where the governing party is not in control, were sidelined in the appointments.

“Many of these APC bigwigs are contemplating dumping APC, and forming a new party, if this mess continues,” a source said.

Reports, further indicate that Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s bid to have Professor Julius Ihonvbere, as Edo State nominee, could not fly, as the President opted for Uyagwe Igbe.

It was the same situation in Osun State, as Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s nominee, Senator Mudasiru Hussein, did not make the list.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was this time lucky, as the President conceded one of the two Ambassadorial nominees, Professor Mohammed G. Yisa, from Kwara State, to him.

It was learnt, that Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, was given only one, out of the 46 Ambassadorial slots submitted to the Senate for confirmation last week.

Eslewhere, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, confirmed the frustration of the APC members, over the appointment made so far by the President.

“Most members of the party, feel that they have not been carried along. I know that many of them are complaining every day,” Okorocha stated in an interview with Journalists, last Sunday.

It was gathered, that the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babagana Kingibe, played prominent roles in the selection process.

Even the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, was said to have no input in the list of the nominees.

A source, said that Onyeama cannot complain, because the President’s Chief of Staff, facilitated his appointment as Minister.

“The appointment of the Ambassadors, is a continuation of the policy to sideline the Governors.

“When the Minister from my State was picked, I was not consulted, and when it is time for the Ambassadorial appointment, they did not consider my nominee. This is a party we all worked to build. I have spoken to quite a number of my colleague Governors, it is the same thing.

“To us, we believe the President has his own game plan. I’m sure he is building a separate structure for himself. When you sideline Governors and Party Leaders in appointments, then it means you are up to something.

“I can tell you conveniently, that most of the Party Leaders, especially Governors, are not happy with the President, over his choice of appointment,” a Governor said.

Reports, revealed that most of the State Governors and Party Leaders, had no input as to who represents their respective States on the foreign mission.

A source, further revealed that in instances where Governors and Party Leaders were asked to submit nominees, their lists were not considered.

The President personally requested for former Supreme Court Justice, Justice George Adesola Oguntade, and Senator Olorunnibe Mamora.

Mamora, was the Deputy Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, and his appointment was long overdue.

On the choice of Justice Oguntade, Buhari nominated him, because of his forthrightness, especially based on the minority judgement he gave in his (President’s) favour in 2008.

When Buhari challenged the result of the 2007 Presidential election up to the Supreme Court, the apex court upheld the election of Umaru Yar’Adua, by 6-1. Justice Oguntade, gave the minority judgement in favour of Buhari.

In Ekiti, the APC members are angry over the choice of Ayodele I. Ayodeji. The nominee retired last year, after 35 years in the foreign service.

He is the immediate past Ambassador to Greece. APC members in the State, are angry that the likes of former Governor, Adeniyi Adebayo, and Senator Olu Adetunbi, were rejected, in preference for Ayodeji.