Buhari did not remove the embattled Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, as chairman of the presidential committee on the reconstitution of Federal Government boards of parastatals, agencies and commissions, our reporter learnt on Tuesday.
It was further learnt that Buhari would not take any action against Lawal until the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), submitted his report on the investigations into alleged corrupt acts by some government officials.
The President recently directed the AGF to investigate the SGF, the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, among others.
There was a report on Tuesday that the SGF had been removed as the chairman of the boards’ reconstitution committee and replaced with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. Sources in the Presidency told our correspondent on Tuesday that Lawal had concluded his assignment.
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It was further learnt that the panel Osinbajo was presiding over was only a review committee that Buhari set up, based on the request of state governors, elect on the platform of All Progressives Congress, and other stakeholders, calling for “more inclusiveness” in federal appointments.
“To say that he (the SGF) had been removed as the chairman of the committee constituting federal boards is not true and is uncharitable,” one of the sources said.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also told our correspondent that the SGF had not been sacked, adding that Lawal had completed the assignment given to him.
The presidential spokesman said, “It is not true that the SGF has been removed from the committee. “I can confirm to you that the committee he headed has completed its job and submitted its report to the President. As we speak now, the report is in the Presidency. You do not sack somebody that has completed his job.
“What happened was that the APC governors and party leadership showed interest in the appointments. They demanded further inclusiveness. “The President agreed. It was that request that called for a review and further action. The President therefore asked the Vice-President to do a review.
“The Vice-President is joined by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; the APC leadership and one APC governor each from the six geopolitical zones.”
The Senate had, on December 14, 2016, called for the removal and prosecution of the SGF following allegations that Lawal awarded contracts to rms where he had interests regarding some projects for the Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East
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