Why I Decided to Appoint more Northerners: President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally reacted to controversy generated by his appointments, which many Nigerian have described as “lopsided”.

The president, in an interview with BBC Hausa on Tuesday said the Constitution allows him full control over the choice of his closest officials.

The president denied the rumour that he was ignoring some sections of his society in his appointments, explaining that those he appointed were some of his most trusted associates.

President Buhari said: “This is the nature of Nigerian politics”.

“If they will do justice to me, as an elected Nigerian president, let them look at the Constitution a Nigerian president works with, there are people who will closely work with me that don’t need to be taken to the Senate.

“If I select people whom I know quite well in my political party, whom we came all the way right from the APP, CPC and APC, and have remained together in good or bad situation, the people I have confidence in and I can trust them with any post, will that amount to anything wrong?

“I have been with them throughout our trying times, what then is the reward of such dedication and suffering?

“They did not defect because of positions, they did not involve themselves in the pursuit of personal gains, and they accepted their fate throughout our trying moments.

“What is wrong if I make you the secretary (of the federal government) because I have confidence that things will go normal?”