NEPOTISM: Nigerians kick as Tinubu appoints another tribesman as EFCC chairman
Nigerians from various walks of life have condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Mr. Ola Olukoyede to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a term of four years pending the confirmation of the Senate.
While some consider it morally wrong that most of Tinubu’s appointments come from his ethnic Yoruba stock, other says it is outrightly illegal considering the provisions of Section 2 of the EFCC Act.
According to information gathered by News Band, Olukoyede is a lawyer with over 22 years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence.
He has extensive experience in the operations of the EFCC, having served at different times as Chief of Staff to the former acting chairman of the Commission, Ibrahim Magu between 2016 and 2018, and Secretary to the Commission from 2018 to 2023.
Olukoyede, it could be noted, earned his university education at the Lagos State University; University of Lagos; Institute of Arbitration ICC – Paris, France, and University of Harvard (Kennedy School of Executive Education).
One of the proponents of the immorality of the appointment, meanwhile, is a former presidential spokesman, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi.
In an essay published on Thursday, condemned the appointment, arguing that another Yoruba man, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, is already heading the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission.
He, therefore, condemned what he termed a “budding Republic of Oduduwa”.
Adeniyi wrote: “At a time the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) is chaired by Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, appointing another Yoruba man (Olanipekun Olukoyede) to head EFCC would be the height of recklessness.
“In case the president is not aware (a Villa disease, especially under his predecessor), most Yoruba people I know are becoming increasingly embarrassed by a number of his appointments.
“I have received many of those WhatsApp messages that list critical offices in the economic/financial sector and the ethnic affiliation of appointees.
“There is already a whispering campaign in Abuja of a budding ‘Republic of Oduduwa’, based on these appointments.”
Brother Barth agreed with Adeniyi. , Taking to his “X” (formerly Twitter) handle, @brotherbarth, he said:
“The EFCC chairman should have better been an Igbo man.
1. It is surprising that Bola Tinubu appointed a Yoruba man as the EFCC Chairman.
2. While it is the prerogative of the President under the law to appoint the Chairman of EFCC and indeed the Chief executive of many other Agencies and parastatals, it is important he does so in a manner that shows a good spread of representation of the diversity of Nigeria, and in such s way that clearly shows a good distance from nepotistic bearing.
3. With this appointment of a Yoruba man to man the EFCC, coming not so long after another Yoruba men was appointed as FIRS and CBN bosses, the security and financial control of the country is now largely under the control of just one tribe, the Yoruba tribe.
4. Nigerians spoke in futility against President Buhari’s nepotistic appointments. As things are going now, it may appear the Buhari would be found to have observed better spread in its appointments than Tinubu.
5. It is just a few months into this administration and people are already talking about ‘Yorubalisation’ scheme of the Federal Government.
6. Let’s be going first.”
On his part, a lawyer and presidential spokesman to Atiku Campaign Organisation, Mr. Daniel H. Bwala, said categorically that the appointment of Olukayode as EFCC Chairman by Tinubu is unlawful and illegal.
Citing the EFCC Act in a post he made on social media, Mr. Bwala said:
“The appointment of Olukayode as EFCC Chairman by PBAT is unlawful and illegal. It runs foul of the provisions of Section 2 of the EFCC ACT which requires that the person to be appointed as EFCC Chairman must amongst other things have:
1. Been a serving or retired member of any security or law enforcement agency,
2. Must have 15 years cognate experience of law enforcement, and
3. Must not be below the rank of assistant commissioner of police
“Olukoyede is a private legal practitioner and has never worked or belonged to any security or law enforcement agency as a member
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“He does not have 15 years cognate experience as a law enforcement officer and his private legal practice years cannot be equated to the rank in law enforcement.
“Not enough attending seminal courses as a private legal practitioner can equate to 15 years cognate experience contemplated by section 2 of the Act.
“He only has a stint as Chief of Staff of Magu and later became a secretary of the Commission, all of which last for less than 6 years.”
He concluded by saying that Tinubu’s government never cease to amaze Nigerians, especially in view of his appointments.
“Who knows, maybe he is being appointed for a mission,” Bwala wondered.
“Great Oracle” Abdul Mahmud, @AbdulMahmud01, also towed a similar line of thought.
He said: “Is the newly appointed EFCC Chairman truly qualified to be appointed? Section 2 of the EFCC Act is very clear. He’s not qualified.
“His years as Chief of Staff to Magu or as Secretary of EFCC don’t come near the 15 years cognate experience required by law.
“This is one appointment, as many other appointments, made by the fixer to fix his boys at the hearts of our crime fighting institutions for reason we know.
“The newly appointed EFCC Chairman is connected to Yinka who’s in turn connected to the Chief Fixer and his son, Seyi.
“Then, again, how could anybody claim that Bawa who is currently in detention resigned his position as Chairman. How does the law define duress?”
Another concerned Nigerian, Dr. Victor Adham noted that Tinubu runs an illegal government, hence everything he does will smack of illegality.
He said on “X” (formerly Twitter): “Definitely anything done by an illegitimate occupant of the seat of governance remains illegal.
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Grand Certificate Forger of the Republic (GCFR) remains an illegitimate occupant of the seat of governance in Nigeria.”
Another “X” user, @ThatNaijaGuy001, concurred, saying:
“The appointment of Olukayode as the new EFCC Chairman so clearly violates Section 2 of the EFCC Act.
“His background as a private lawyer does not meet the clear stipulations set out in the EFCC Act.
“Tinubu by this appointment is setting yet another dangerous precedent. As expected, an illegitimate government can never be trusted to follow the law.
“This systemic disregard for the rule of law, is a slippery slope that will consume the soul of Nigeria.”
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