FROM RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA
A group under the auspices of Council of Political Parties Chairmen of Nigeria, CPPCN, has frowned at the appointment of Aliyu Tajudeen as the Managing Director of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority.
The group described the appointment as a breach of equity, competence, and lacking due process, alleging that Aliyu Tajudeen is the biological younger brother of the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Addressing a Press Conference at the weekend in Kaduna, the group spokeperson’s, Engr. Idris Musa emphasised that the appointment of Aliyu Tajudeen is a total breach of equity, competence and due process.
According to Engr. Musa, ” It is documented that His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, formally Nominated Hon. Shuaibu Bawa Jaja based on merit, while his name was substituted at the eleventh hour with that of Aliyu Tajudeen, biological young brother (same father) of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
” This unilateral alteration, executed without public justification, constitutes a gross violation of due process and undermines institutional integrity”, Engr. Musa explained.
The group, therefore, demanded a public investigation into the appointment of Aliyu Tajudeen, while also calling for reversal of the appointment and the disclosure of the publication of the shortlist, interview records, and selection criteria.
This is just as the group also argued that the appointment of Aliyu Tajudeen was done on the ground of nepotism,, political favoritism, and a blatant violation of constitutional principles of fairness that is not in the interest of the unity and progress of the nation.
“The appointment of a blood relative of the Speaker to a high-level federal post within the same geopolitical zone and political network absent due process or open competition flagrantly violates the constitutional imperative.
” It is also important to know, whether federal character principles were applied; whether transparent nomination channels and competitive selection were followed; whether the Speaker’s relationship with the appointee was disclosed and reviewed per conflict-of-interest policies”, the group asked.
While calling on the Federal Character Commission, FCC, to intervene, the group added that the FCC is constitutionally mandated under Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution to ensure fairness, equity, and balanced representation in federal appointments
