16 Out Of 17 Service Chiefs: Southern Leaders Kick

In a swift reaction yesterday, southern leaders said Bichi’s appointment was a vote of no confidence in one Nigeria by Buhari, warning that such an action was capable of dividing the nation.

In a joint statement last night, signed by Chief E.K Clark, leader, South-South; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, South West; Chief John Nwodo, South East; and Dr Bitrus Pogu, Middle Belt, and made available to THISDAY by the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, they accused the President Buhari of “outright disregard for the conditions precedent for a united Nigeria and an inclusive country, which President Buhari has become well known for was taken to a new height with the replacement of Seiyefa with Bichi.”

They warned, “The I-don’t-care and in-your-face attitude of the president in restoring Nigeria security architecture to the provocative situation of having 16 out of 17 service chiefs from his corner of the country is a clear demonstration of the fact that Nigeria, for General Muhammadu Buhari, is no more than his section of Nigeria and the resources and the constitutionally mandatory votes from other sections of the country.”

They lamented, “Since 1960, Nigeria has never had a leader more sectional, narrow, parochial, and tribalistic like the current president who went on a global stage to divide Nigeria into ‘95 % and 5%’.

“We have looked critically at the profiles of the Acting DG who was removed and the one Buhari just appointed and it is crystal clear that Bichi does not come with any experience close to that of Seiyefa. The only qualification for this appointment is therefore only the rabid nepotism of the president, which has seen him always masking personal and sectional interest as ‘national interest.’

“Besides, Bichi is an out-of-the-system man drafted by Mr. Lawan Daura in the days of his nepotism rule at the DSS. The next six most senior persons in line of succession at the DSS after Seiyefa from our findings, are all southerners, which may explain why the president picked a man who already retired from the DSS to lead because of ethnic affinity.

“That the president went ahead to deep himself further into the cocoon of ethnic irredentism in making this insensitive appointment shows clearly that he does not care a hoot about the unity, cohesion and oneness of Nigeria.

“We reject this appointment and we do not shy in telling Mr. President that he no longer pretends that the country is one under him. In the last few days, there have been fears coming from the international community about the dangers that would come the way of Nigeria if Mr. President returns for another term. With his latest action, we add that the country is not safe in the remainder of his first term.

“Lastly we ask Mr President: Are we still one country?”

THISDAY reports