In a fervent plea to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the Oodua Integrity Group has called for an immediate halt to the proposed appointment of an administration staff member with a degree in English but lacking essential qualifications in chartered accountancy and ANAN certification.
This move is viewed as an affront to the entire FCT administration, especially under the leadership of Wike, who is renowned for his commitment to due process and professionalism.
The architects of this controversial plan have invoked a recent circular issued by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which states that directors in parastatals on tenure appointments should hand over to their successors and retire.
However, this directive does not align with the unique circumstances of the FCT Treasury Department, where the issue pertains to career progression. The qualified individual being overlooked for the position is not only more professional but also holds seniority.
During a press interaction in Abuja, Babajide Olaosebikan, the President of the Oodua Integrity Group, emphasized that the FCT should not be treated as a parastatal but as an administration, making the application of this particular law inappropriate.
He expressed concerns that the honorable Minister’s reputation was being compromised and urged an immediate reversal of the decision to prevent the administration from being perceived as entrusting its finances to a non-professional.
This deviation from the standard practice, where the most qualified director in the treasury department assumes the role, raises serious concerns for the group.
They vehemently oppose any attempts to tarnish the esteemed reputation of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and have urgently called for a remedy. They assert that any blame arising from this situation will ultimately fall on the Minister’s shoulders.
The group firmly believes that the finances of the FCT and its treasury department should not be entrusted to a non-professional who lacks a background in finance and has primarily worked in administration.
The FCT, previously a full-fledged Federal ministry before the El-Rufai administration, underwent transformation into the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
Under this structure, the Minister is tasked with overseeing mandate secretaries, the FCDA Executive Secretary, and heads of FCT agencies and departments.
It is important to note that the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation appoints and assigns Permanent Secretaries to the administration, a process that may not always involve the Minister.
The Oodua Integrity Group, which also actively campaigned for President Tinubu, remains optimistic that prompt corrections will be made to uphold competence and professionalism within the FCT administration.
Speaking further,Babajide said “Credible intelligence reaching us indicates that the immediate past treasury director advised the administration on the impending danger if the most senior non professional director is allowed to takeove reason why he handed over to the most professional senior director because finance officers mostly comes from professional backgrounds as stated.
” Agreed that the person being manipulated to takeover is the most senior but it does not count on accountancy and finance since the person did not change cadre.”
