Appointment Of My Family Members Into Public Office, Based On Merit – Al-makura
BY BABA AHMED, LAFIA – Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa state has said that the appointment of some members of his family into juicy positions in government were based on merit.
Al-makura, who stated this while reacting to accusations by the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that alleged members of his family were appointed with the aim of looting the state treasury, explained that all the appointments referred to by the PDP followed laid down rules and regulations.
Among those mentioned by the PDP is Mallam the Burser of the Nasarawa Polytechnic, Lafia, Alhaji Ibrahim Adhama, who is a nephew to Governor
Al-makura and accused of swindling the institution of N45 million.
Also mentioned by the PDP is Mallam Ali Abdulkadir, who is believed to be the immediate younger brother
to Al-makura and nominated as the state representative in the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission RMAFC.
Speaking through the State Commissioner for Information, Mallam Jameel Zakari, the governor said his administration ensure due diligence in its
appointments.
Al-makura said the statement credited to the chairman of the state PDP, Mr. Francis Orogu saying that he (Al-makura) has turned the state into a family affair, is not true and urged the members of the public to dismiss the allegation.
According to Al-makura; “All the appointments both at the state and federal level were carefully done in line with procedural approvals and on merit.
“Government wishes to state categorically that all appointments referred to by the state chairman of the PDP were made with due diligence and in compliance with relevant rules and regulations, as well as merit and state character.”
The governor sad that government will continue to discharge its functions without fear or favour but in cognizance with government rules and
regulation.
But the state PDP Chairman, Orogu disagree with the appointments of members of Governor Al-makura’s family into government offices, saying it portrays the government as a family affair with selfish intent and hidden agenda.
Orogu said; “It is not only Al-makura’s family members that are graduates or fit to occupy government offices after sacking seven thousand civil servants and employed through the back door.”
The PDP chairman further said that Al-makura has equally appointed several of his relations into government positions to the detriment of other citizens of the state.
