A group of public sector workers,
under the auspices of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)
has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reshuffle his kitchen cabinet.
They made the appeal sequel to
the scandal surrounding the reinstatement of the dismissed former Chairman of
the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina, into the
Federal Civil Service.
In a statement, on Wednesday,
ASCSN’s Secretary-General, Alade Bashir Lawal, expressed sadness that Maina,
sacked in 2013 for sharp practices in respect of about N2 billion pension
funds, was smuggled back into the Federal Civil Service by key government
officials believed to be close to the president.
"Information at the public
domain shows that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and the Minister of Interior, Lt-General
Abdulrahaman Dambazau, cannot be entirely extricated from the conspiracy that
led to the illegal re-absorption of Maina into the Federal Civil Service.
"Thus, the fact that President
Muhammadu Buhari has again dismissed Abdulrasheed Maina from Service is good
news but what the public now expects is for Mr President to instil sanity into
the inner core of his administration by sacking those who are bent on ruining
his reputation as a man of integrity,’’ the Union emphasized.
The ASCSN posited that the
consistent and persistent acts of impunity by some powerful individuals in the
cabinet had continued to embarrass the Government.
"If the President does not act
to replace some of his personal aides that are besmearing the image of his
government, the impression will continue to be created that he may be privy to
their ignoble acts.
"Besides, apart from dismissing
Abdulrasheed Maina from Service, relevant Government Agencies should take
necessary steps to bring him to justice,’’ the Union added.
According to the ASCSN, it was
really absurd that somebody declared wanted by the EFCC and the International
Police Organisation (INTERPOL) could arrive the country and resume duty as a
Director in the Ministry of Interior of all places without being apprehended by
the security agencies.
"It is this type of impunity
that continues to create the impression before the international community that
Nigeria is a lawless country. This is very unfortunate,’’ the Union emphasized.
The ASCSN recalled the case of an
officer above the age of 60 years who was smuggled into the Service as a
Permanent Secretary.
It regretted that the fellow who
is about 63 years now is still serving inspite of the fact that retirement age
in the Civil Service still remains 60 years.
The Union also posited that
Public Service Rule 030413 stated clearly that any officer who abandoned his or
her duty post would be dismissed from Service.
"This is the more reason why
those who conspired to reinstate Abdulrasheed Maina into the Federal Civil
Service and gave him double promotion must be disciplined and brought to
account so as to act as deterrence to others.
"We cannot continue to behave as
if Nigeria is a Banana Republic where anything goes,’’ the Union added.
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