A coalition of Northern youth groups has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately replace former Rivers State governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi as ministerial nominee before his alleged corruption baggage dents the image of his administration.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition on Monday, its leader, Comrade Abdullahi Gambo said the youth had nothing against Hon. Amaechi, but would not sit back to watch the good name and integrity of President Buhari being dragged in the mud over any ministerial nominee, including the former Rivers State governor.
According to Comrade Gambo, the coalition acknowledged the immense contributions of Hon. Amaechi to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Buhari’s emergence as the party’s flag bearer, and eventually, as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not withstanding, no case of corruption should be covered up no matter who was involved.
The coalition said it agreed with Senator George Sekibo from Rivers State that the nomination of Hon. Rotimi Amaechi should be suspended until the conclusion of the ongoing probe of his tenure as governor by the current administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.
“For 72 years, President Muhammadu Buhari has built his integrity and incorruptible character and remained above the board. It will be unwise to sacrifice his integrity on the altar of political compensation. This is why we are calling him to resist all pressure and replace Hon. Rotimi Amaechi without further delay.
“The thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is its anti-corruption crusade. Nigerians’ confidence in that crusade will diminish if Mr President continues to appoint people with corruption questions to answer into his cabinet.
“We will follow up this call with a protest to the Presidency and National Assembly by tomorrow, October 13, 2015. This is about a new Nigeria, not about Buhari or Amaechi. We simply do not want anything that will stop this administration from succeeding,” the coalition said.