Buhari appoints Shehu, Adesina, as spokepersonss

Firstclass newsline gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday
named the President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina;
and the Director, Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress
Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garba Shehu, as spokesmen.
While Adesina will serve as the Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity), Shehu will be the new Senior Special Assistant
(Media and Publicity).
According to a statement made available to journalists by Shehu, the
President also approved the appointment of Mallam Lawal Kazaure as the
State Chief of Protocol (SCOP).
The statement did not indicate the job schedule of Adesina and Shehu
as their two offices appear similar.
Apart from being the current President of NGE, Adesina is the Managing
Director/Editor-in-Chief ofThe Sunnewspapers.
Shehu was the President of the NGE 16 years ago.
Kazaure is a career Foreign Service official and currently serves in
Aso Rock Villa as a Special Assistant (Presidential Matters).
Meanwhile, a desire by Buhari to ensure zonal balancing is delaying a
formal announcement of all his appointees.
It was learnt in Abuja on Sunday that some party leaders were
impressing it on the President to be mindful of the constitutional
provision which stipulates respect for federal character even in his
choice of personal staff.
Section 14 sub-section (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, states, "The composition of the government of the
federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall
be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of
Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command
national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance
of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional
groups in that government or any of its agencies."
Firstclass newsline learnt that the President, who appears set to
appoint a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Abdurrahman Danbazau
(retd.), as the National Security Adviser, is also contemplating
appointing Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), as his Chief of Staff.
However, some party leaders close to him are of the view that he
should not concentrate these appointments in the North-West.
A highly placed member of the APC, who pleaded anonymity because of
the sensitivity of the issue, said a list was still being drawn up.
He said, "He (Buhari), is President now, he dictates his pace of work.
I understand the list is being made up and that it is likely that Dr.
Ogbonaya Onu will emerge as the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation.
"I also heard that there are some issues over (who will be) Chief of
Staff, the President wants to announce everything together."
Further findings revealed that the President was tinkering with an
earlier list he had prepared after further consultations.
Firstclassnewsline.net