President Bola Tinubu named Femi Gbajabiamila, the departing Speaker of the House of Representatives, as his chief of staff on Friday, only days after his inauguration. Ibrahim Hadejia, a former deputy governor of Jigawa State, was also chosen to serve as the deputy chief of staff.
Additionally, the President appointed Senator George Akume, a former governor of Benue State and immediately preceding minister of special duties, to the position of secretary to the government of the federation.
Abiodun Oladunjoye, the State House’s director of information, released them in a statement.
Gbajabiamila responded to the announcement by pledging to do his best in his role as the President’s Chief of Staff, adding that he would start on June 14, 2023, the day after the 10th Assembly would have convened.
“Thank you Mr. President for finding me worthy of being your Chief of Staff,” Gbajabiamila is quoted as saying in a brief statement by his chief of staff, Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart. After serving in the Nigerian Parliament for the last 20 years and being elected to the National Assembly for a sixth term, I will work with Mr. President to complete the great task that lies before of him for the stability and development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As stated in Mr. President’s official letter, I shall give my best when I assume office on June 14, 2023.”
Bello and Oyetola respond.
In the meanwhile, responses to the appointments have persisted, with many people wishing the new hires well.
The departing Speaker and Akume received congratulations on their appointments from Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Bello said that Gbajabiamila was well suited for the critical position due to his legislative experience, commitment, and dependability in a statement released by his chief press secretary, Onogwu Mohammed.
He also praised Akume’s accomplishments in previous roles, including as a senator and minister of special responsibilities, and expressed his solid belief that Akume’s knowledge and perspective would significantly improve his performance in his current role.
Likewise, the recently-resigned governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, thanked the appointments in a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday.
I congratulate Senator Akume and Hon. Gbajabiamila on their appointments and praise President Tinubu for making such wise decisions, part of the statement said. These appointments are well-deserved and well-planned.
Abbas and others praise the president
Tajudeen Abbas, the APC’s favored candidate for Speaker of the House of Representatives in the tenth National Assembly, praised Tinubu for making “the right choice” in choosing Gbajabiamila in a statement released by his campaign office.
He said, “In my opinion, this is one selection that has demonstrated that Mr. President is both sage in his leadership and shrewd in his thinking. I am certain that the President’s Chief of Staff would diligently work with the President to make Nigeria great.
In a same vein, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, congratulated Gbajabiamila on his new position in a statement.
He commended the Speaker’s “profound understanding of the political landscape and unwavering commitment to national progress” and expressed his “utmost confidence” in Gbajabiamila’s capacity to succeed in the new position.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Zailani, the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, praised Tinubu for appointing Gbajabiamila, saying it was well deserved and based on merit given his “enviable pedigree in diplomacy, administration, and academics.” Ibrahim Danfulani, Zailani’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, issued the statement.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Northern Christian Youth Professionals, Isaac Abrak, thanked Tinubu for appointing Akume as SGF in a statement issued in Abuja.
We highly welcome Senator Akume’s appointment as proof that the present administration is committed to helping all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic or religious origins, he added. It strengthens the conviction that President Bola Tinubu would keep his word about unifying Nigeria and making sure that each citizen is respected and represented in national administration.
MBF responds
Bitrus Pogu, the Middle Belt Forum’s president, hailed Akume’s nomination as SGF as a positive step.
However, he asserted that Tinubu’s election as president was still debatable, stating, “If the election of the President is debatable based on constitutional factors, then whatever results from it is equally debatable. Not the appointment, but the basis is the issue.
PWDs call for inclusion.
Abdullahi Kebbi, national president of the Joint National Association for Persons with Disabilities, urged the president to appoint PWDs to his cabinet.
In a conversation with our correspondent on Friday, Kebbi, who made the decision, stated, “We are a vast people and need to have a representative inside our community. Because they are unaware of the difficulties encountered by persons with disabilities, we do not want those in good health to speak for us. We anticipate Tinubu will have a look at it this time.
Women want acceptance
More than 300 non-governmental and civil society organizations, along with Women in Management, Business, and Public Service, have petitioned the President to appoint women to positions of leadership.
“More than ever, women call on the President who has made a commitment to prioritize women’s participation in Nigerian leadership to ensure that,” said WIMBIZ Executive Director Hansatu Adegbite in a statement.