Buhari’s aides occupying office illegally, says CUPP

The Coalition of the United Political Parties (CUPP) has kicked against the continuous stay in office of some aides of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The coalition said it has filed a suit to challenge the aides of the president who have refused to vacate office without fresh appointments.

Imo Ugochinyere, spokesman of CUPP, made this known to reporters in Abuja.

The coalition condemned Buhari’s delay in the appointment of aides and ministers, saying it is an indication that Buhari is “not yet ready to govern and lacks understanding of the urgency needed to fix Nigeria.”

“The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, is still in that office, Senator Ita Enang is still parading himself as Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate); Mr Abba Kyari is still parading himself as the Chief of Staff to the President; Mr Femi Adesina is still appearing on television programmes as Special Adviser to the President on Media, likewise Mr Garba Shehu, who is parading himself as a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,” he said.

“Section 151 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended clearly provides: Any appointment made pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be at the pleasure of the President and shall cease when the President cease to hold office.

“These officers who are parading themselves as officers of the government without formal appointments have violated the Code of Conduct Act which demands that political office holders must declare their assets before commencement of service to the government (this violation our lawyers are already working on seeking order for prosecution of these officers for carrying out functions of government without declaring their assets).

“The impunity with which this government has been known continues as long as the President, despite the clear provisions of the constitution, allows his aides to continue in office.

“President Buhari’s inability to appoint personal/presidential aides or indeed any other appointments over one month after taking the oath of office is a sign the President is still not yet ready to govern and lacks understanding of the urgency needed to fix Nigeria. This was the same path that landed Nigeria in recession in 2015. How a President seems to want to do the same thing over again yet expects to receive a different result is worrying.”