The wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, on Thursday threw her weight behind some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who opposed
The wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, on Thursday threw her weight behind some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who opposed Senate President, Ahmad Lawan’s appointments, particularly that of Festus Adedayo. The senate president had appointed Festus Adedayo, a columnist, as his spokesman, and also retained some aides of Bukola Saraki, his predecessor.
No sooner was the appointment of Festus Adedayo, a PhD holder in Political Communication, was announced than outcry and criticisms started pouring in, saying he was unsuitable for the position. The outcry which was loud, especially on social media and was championed by Buhari Media Organisation and some members of All Progressives Congress, who tagged Adedayo an “anti-Buhari media personality.’’
A group known as APC stakeholders, had accused the senate president of rewarding enemies of Buhari’s government. Ayo Oyalowo, a social media influencer who tweets @Ayorub, was among those members of the group who spoke against Lawan’s appointment at a press conference in Abuja.
In a move suggesting that she is in support of the position of the group, Aisha tweeted a quote of Oyalowo at the press conference.
“You cannot drive an agenda with people who don’t believe in that agenda…how will you achieve your purpose If you bring in people who fought against your agenda. – @Ayourb. #APCYouths #MissionandVision #BelieveinBuharisIdeology,” she tweeted.
Oyalowo had earlier told journalists: “It is not about appointments as it were, it is about the fact that there is an agenda called – initially the change agenda now the next level agenda.”
But a statement from Office of President of the Senate on Thursday in Abuja, said that it reviewed the appointment of Adedayo and rescinded its earlier decision on it. The statement was signed by Mohammed Isa, Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media and Publicity.
It said, “the Office of the President of the Senate has reviewed the appointment of Mr Festus Adedayo as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate and decided to rescind its decision on the appointment. The office wishes Mr Adedayo the best in his future endeavours.’’
The Office of the Senate President has begun the process of finding a replacement for him. A similar outcry is also trailing the re-appointment of four other media aides announced by Lawan to him serve.
“The Senate concluded last night that the SA Media should be relieved of his appointment instantly owing to public outcry.
“But, the Senate President is retaining all the other media aides already announced, against all pressures. He is already getting some recommendations for replacement of Adedayo from media consultants, subject to background checks,” a source said.
