Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-16 15:43:44
Dr. Josef Onoh, the former campaign spokesman for President Bola Tinubu in the southeast and current Chairman of Forum of Former Members of Enugu State House of Assembly (FOF-MENHA), recently voiced his support for Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle. The reason for this support was to encourage President Tinubu’s appointees from the northern region to defend him against the accusations made by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).
The NEF had criticized President Tinubu for supposedly marginalizing the north in his administration, indicating regret for having supported him. However, Matawalle stood up against the NEF and called on his fellow appointees under Tinubu’s administration to defend him. Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the president’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, was specifically mentioned by Matawalle as someone who should speak out in support of the President.
Onoh intervened in the conflict between the NEF and President Tinubu, highlighting Tinubu’s major appointees from the north while noting the lack of active participation from his southeast zone in the current administration. He expressed disappointment in the failure of the president’s appointees from the north to defend Tinubu against the NEF’s attacks and praised Matawalle for being one of the few northern voices in support of the President.
He emphasized the importance of President Tinubu’s appointees speaking out to showcase his achievements and defend his administration. Drawing parallels with past administrations, he cited examples of individuals like Femi Fani-Kayode, Frank Nweke Jnr, and Osita Chidoka who defended previous presidents against political attacks.
Onoh called on the current appointees, especially those from the North, to fulfill their responsibilities in promoting the government’s achievements and engaging with the public. He criticized their silence and urged them to reevaluate their commitment to the administration.
In conclusion, Onoh suggested that President Tinubu should consider overhauling his cabinet, as many of his appointees do not align with his vision. He stressed the importance of unity among the appointees and emphasized the need for them to actively support the government. He commended Matawalle for his stance and urged other appointees to follow suit in defending the administration.
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, Dr. Josef Onoh has through his weight behind the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, in urging the president’s appointees from the northern extraction to stand up in Defence of […]){kind=link}