Coalition group asks FG to sack Yemi-Esan over ‘poor recruitment policy’

The Coalition of Civil Societies for Equity, Justice and Good Governance has asked the federal government to sack Folasade Yemi-Esan, head of the civil service, over alleged poor recruitment policy into the civil service.

Speaking during a protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, on Thursday, Danesi Momoh, co-convener of the coalition, accused Yemi-Esan of frustrating recruitment into federal tertiary institutions and other government departments and agencies.

He said the group will protest for seven days if the head of service fails to resign or the federal government refuses to fire her.

“Dr. (Mrs) Folashade Yemi-Esan is well known for her not-so-popular policies and anti-people sentiments. She has attracted a lot of lawsuits and enemies because of her recklessness,” Momoh said.

“Just last month, she blocked 17 federal directors from participating in the permanent secretary examination. The case is still in court and as damning as it is, the federal government is lukewarm about sacking her.

“Not just are universities understaffed, federal colleges and even secondary schools are grossly understaffed because the head of service has been playing politics with sensitive national issues in gross violation of existing federal service rules. This is contrary to Buhari’s anti-corruption stance and must not be allowed to continue.”

Reacting to the allegations in a statement, Abdulganiyu Aminu, director of communications in the office of the head of civil service of the federation, said the embargo on employment is still in force.

“The embargo on employment in the Federal Public Service since March 2020 is still in force with the exception of health and security sectors as well as certain critical vacancy positions which must be filled,” Aminu said.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation is not a recruiting agency. It is therefore wrong to allege that the Office has been secretly recruiting staff to fill up vacancies.

“In addition, appointment/recruitment into Federal Public Service is not subjected to the whims and caprices of any official. It must conform to processes and procedures as contained in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation circular, Ref. No. 59814/ S.7/ C.8/ IV/T7/140 of 11th August, 2021.”