CSO warns Buhari over appointment of Accountant-General

Civil Society Groups For Good Governance (CSGGG) has warned of total collapse of the economy if President Muhammadu Buhari appoints the highest bidders and schemers into the sacred office of the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) instead of the best fit for the job.

Addressing a press conference last week in Abuja, CSGGG President, Ogakwu Dominic, disclosed that the group have written to President Buhari and all relevant stakeholders in and out of government, stating that the civil society’s position on the matter unequivocally and without mincing words.

According to Dominic, the rigorous screening process must be merit-based, focusing on credentials, past and present work experience, competence, capacity and character viz-a-viz the principles of Accountability, Integrity and Transparency (AIT).

He insisted that the screening process must de-emphasise the use of examination as major determinant for recruiting Accountant General of the Federation, given the pivotal and influential functions of the office on national economy.

His words: “Let it be on record that, the position of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is premised on a trending allegation that the former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), who is currently standing trial for corruption, embezzlement and looting of the Federation’s treasury to the tune of N109 billion did pay handsomely during his screening examination, thereby procuring the position of AGF like some commodity at a trade fair, which was auctioned to the highest bidder.

“Is it therefore any wonder that the man spent his days in office frantically recouping his “investments” and repaying his “investors” who facilitated his fraudulent emergence as AGF through the corrupt screening examination.

“Our country today is in a state of complete financial disaster and only a Nigerian with a proven track record in revenue generation, expertise in financial management, alongside a vast experience in people management, can rescue us from total implosion.

“The next AGF must be someone who can diplomatically facilitate a healthy synergy with the three arms of government, catalyse a robust and cost-effective inter-agency cooperation to lower the cost of governance and must be able to work harmoniously and seamlessly with his or her principal – the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning – for the smooth implementation of government financial implementation framework 2022 – 2025, vis-a-vis the monetary and fiscal policy of government.

“Finally, it is our considered opinion in the civil society that the office of the AGF is so critical to the rescue mission of Nigeria that, public interest trumps personal interest at this watershed moment, when the nation stands precariously at a precipice of serious security crises and consequently our economy is in tatters with the Naira on a freefall against the dollar, leaving Nigerians at a crossroads with increasing inflation in the face of decreasing revenue generation, amidst multiple taxation and dwindling hope.”