The Forum of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has taken a strong stand against what they’ve termed as “anti-democratic, malicious, and ill-informed posturings” by a group led by former Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbe.
The crux of the disagreement revolves around the objection raised by the Ogbe-led group against the appointment of Senator George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the Forum’s convener, Comrade Friday Maduka, said the accusations were ”a distortion of reality.”
Comrade Maduka dismissed the accusations that the Tiv ethnic group has disproportionately dominated federal appointments.
Comrade Maduka stated, “Before Senator George Akume’s emergence, most federal appointments from Benue State were held by the Idoma ethnic group.”
The Forum accused the Ogbe-led group of attempting to undermine Senator Akume’s appointment, labelling the grounds of their objection as “false narratives.”
Extolling Senator Akume as a “fantastic, generous, and thoroughly detribalised Nigerian leader,” they highlighted his instrumental role in fostering inclusivity and unity throughout his political career.
