The Presidency Must Halt Its Pattern of Abrupt Changes

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has garnered attention for its tendency to make swift appointments that are often followed by quick reversals. Recently, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced the nominations of retired Colonel Lateef Are, Amb. Amin Dalhatu, Amb. Ayodele Oke, and Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman as ambassadors-designate to the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Türkiye, respectively.

However, within 24 hours, the presidency released a follow-up statement clarifying that an ambassador for Türkiye had yet to be appointed. This was not merely a case of hasty communication; it was further complicated by the fact that the name ‘Usman Isa Dakingari Suleiman’ was absent from the list submitted to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu. The correct name associated with the former Kebbi Governor is Saidu Usman Nasamu Dakingari.

There have been several instances in which the presidency issued misleading statements only to withdraw or amend them later. An example includes the retraction of Maryam Shetty’s ministerial nomination at the Senate threshold, alongside the quick replacement of Muheeba Dankaka, the chairperson of the Federal Character Commission, merely four hours after her reappointment. Such occurrences indicate a lack of due diligence and thorough vetting prior to public announcements.

Similar confusion has been observed within governmental agencies, such as the Nigeria Television Authority, where a new Director General, Mr. Rotimi Pedro, was announced even though the incumbent, Mr. Salihu Dembos, had not yet completed his three-year term. This scenario occurred while Mr. Dembos and several managers attended a federal engagement tour of Enugu and Ebonyi states led by the Minister of Information and National Orientation. A comparable situation unfolded with NIPOST, which briefly operated under two competing Postmaster-Generals.

Other notable reversals include the appointment of Imam Ibrahim Kashim as the chairman of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), with public sentiment suggesting he lacked the requisite experience for the role. Furthermore, Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani was initially named as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund, despite Fatima Shinkafi’s tenure still being active.

These instances are part of approximately 14 documented reversals from the presidency, where better diligence should be standard practice, as any error can have significant ramifications for the country.

While the presidency attempts to portray these sudden decision changes as signs of a government responsive to public feedback, they ultimately damage its reputation. This trend creates an impression that the presidency operates hastily and rectifies mistakes in a disorganized manner, raising concerns about the administration’s reliability and organization.

Moreover, these frequent reversals may impact how decisions are perceived at the highest levels of authority, potentially influencing international relations and business dealings.

There is a growing concern at the Daily Trust regarding the frequency of these “mistakes” at the highest echelons of government, which are too casually dismissed as ordinary errors. To date, there has been no accountability for these oversights, casting the presidency in an unfavorable light.

The President should take action against his immediate staff and those responsible for such critical assignments. Nigerians expect that officials entrusted with such sensitive tasks display utmost due diligence and professionalism. We cannot afford to continue governing at this critical level with carelessness and without consequences for severe oversights.

The recent confusion over ambassadorial appointments should be the final instance of such errors. Actions and decisions must be comprehensively reviewed and assessed before public announcement, to avoid future reversals stemming from objections by involved parties.

The Presidency ought to represent an office filled with the most capable individuals committed to serving. It is crucial to prevent officials from causing embarrassment to both the President and the nation.