Buhari’s campaign: Presidency denies official appointment of Ex-Governor Sheriff as D-G

The Presidency has denied making any official appointment of former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff as Director General of an official campaign platform for President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 reelection campaign.

The Presidency has also issued query to a Senior Special Assistant (political) in the office of Secretary to Government of the Federation, Hon Gideon Sammani for ‎what was called “an unauthorized publicity of a notice that is capable of misleading Nigerians and causing serious confusion within the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign organization that is recognised by the President under the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi as director general”.

A source at the Presidency told journalists last night at the Villa that when he was summoned, Hon. Sammani said he never issued a statement saying there was any appointment but rather sent out a public notice saying members of a voluntary and self-appointed Presidential Support Committee was congratulating elected executives of the APC after a successful convention. Sammani said it was the media that misrepresented the notice as a Presidential appointment of Sheriff and other members ‎of the support group.

The Presidency nonetheless found Sammani guilty of releasing information without being authorized to do so. The Presidency clarified that the Presidential Support Committee, which Sheriff serves as leader, is a self-appointed by persons who offered to play different roles in working for the President’s reelection. The Presidency noted that there are many such groups in existence and that the SSA, Sammani who is one of the aides in charge of the political desk, works with takes record of groups and associations, like the Presidential Support Committee, who come together and appoint themselves as volunteers. The Presidency said many similar groups have been in existence and recognized by the Presidency long ago and therefore wondered why the SSA, Sammani issued a public notice with respect of only one of such groups. It added that having Sheriff as a director general of a support group was at variance with normal practices and capable of creating serious confusion.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Presidency reaffirms that the‎re is one official campaign body appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, which is that under Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi. It called on political groups and associations willing to support the President to henceforth correspond with Amaechi led campaign organization for the purpose for avoiding any future confusion.