Civil Society Groups Demand Fairness in AGF Selection, Urge President Tinubu to Intervene
By Raymond Enoch
A coalition of civil society organizations has called for a fair and transparent selection process in the appointment of the new Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and halt the ongoing process.
During a press conference, the coalition, led by Coordinator Fateman Emmanuel and Secretary Kingsley Madu, expressed dissatisfaction with the current selection process, citing alleged irregularities, favoritism, and political interference. They claimed that the most qualified candidates were being sidelined in favor of politically connected individuals.
The group referenced a February 11, 2025, statement by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, which promised a transparent, structured, and merit-driven selection process. However, the coalition insists that these assurances have not been upheld, arguing that the examination process lacked fairness and transparency.
Immediate suspension of the current appointment process until a thorough review is conducted.
Assurance that political influence and favoritism will not dictate the selection.
Direct presidential interaction with shortlisted candidates to verify their qualifications.
The coalition further alleged that opposition party members had hijacked the process, warning that proceeding with a flawed selection could damage the administration’s credibility and impact political prospects in the 2027 elections.
Despite their concerns, the coalition acknowledged President Tinubu’s efforts in governance, particularly in upholding the federal character principle in appointments. They urged him to take decisive action to safeguard the integrity of the AGF selection and ensure that the most competent candidate is chosen.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Presidency or the Head of the Civil Service regarding these allegations. Nigerians now await the government’s next move on this crucial appointment.
