The Southern Mandate, a forum of the defunct Congress for
Progressives Change (CPC) members, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari, to
consider former national chairman, Chief Tony Momoh or Eng. Buba Galadima as
the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
According to them, any of the duo would be a perfect
replacement for the suspended incumbent, Babachir Lawal.
The forum, which has its membership in the 17 southern States,
made the call in a statement on Sunday signed by its national coordinator,
Comrade Ikonomwan Francis.
While urging Buhari to drop the embattled SGF to face
prosecution, they said his replacement with either Momoh or Galadima would
serve “a thank-you message” to those who delivered 12 million votes to him in
2011 on the platform of the defunct CPC.
Part of the statement read, “We wish to reiterate our
earlier position that the key appointments Mr. President has made so far are
occupied by strangers who do not share the same vision and mission of President
Buhari for a better Nigeria”.
“For instance, the suspend SGF Babachir Lawal, came from the
blues to occupy the all important office of the SGF.
“Prince Momoh and Engr. Galadima are men of implacable character
who are co-vision bearer with President Buhari. These men made a very strong
foundation for him.
“We are aware that Engr. Galadima turned down three major
juicy appointments from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“We also have it on record that former President Goodluck
Jonathan offered him FCT ministerial appointment and a cash offer of N2billion
to abandon Buhari’s project but blatantly refused the juicy offer.
“On the other hand, Prince Momoh is Buhari personified – who
has sworn in many public fora that the day he will take bribe, thunder will
strike him dead. It is mind blowing that these men are not in Buhari’s cabinet
today.”
By Wale Odunsi
