FG Responds To US Congressman Tom Marino’s Allegations

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President Muhammadu Buhari

The Federal Government of Nigeria has responded to a letter by a US Congressman, Tom Marino, alleging infractions on some principles and local and international regulations and conventions by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Tom Marino, had written a letter to secretary of State, John Kerry stating that the USA should withhold security assistance to Nigeria until President  Buhari demonstrates a “commitment to inclusive government and the most basic tenets of democracy: freedom to assemble and freedom of speech”.

However, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the allegations by Marino were imaginary and poorly informed.

He said: “Insecurity anywhere is insecurity everywhere. Had Congressman Marino understood this, he would not have made the kind of call he made concerning the US security assistance to Nigeria.

“The Boko Haram insurgency that Nigeria has decisively dealt with under President Muhammadu Buhari is not just a Nigerian problem but a regional and international crisis.

“An administration that operates purely on the basis of respect for the rule of law and a strict adherence to constitutional order is not one to deny the citizens of their constitutionally-guaranteed rights.

“This administration therefore does not need the goading of Congressman Marino or anyone for that matter to do what is right.

“Concerning running an inclusive government, had Congressman Marino done his homework before dispatching his letter, he would have realized that no part of the country is left out in the distribution of political appointments.

“The appointment of ministers was done in accordance with the Constitution that mandates that the President must appoint at least one minister from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Had the Congressman sought information from credible sources before engaging in a flight of fancy, he would have been presented with comprehensive information on the appointment of CEOs for Federal Government’s parastatals, agencies and commissions.

“The appointments were almost evenly matched along the line of the six geo-political zones in the country, with the North-West having 51, North-Central, 46; North-East, 45; South-East, 41; South-West, 45 and South-South, 45.

“The Congressman may wish to note that each geo-political zone comprises six states, with the exception of North-West (7) and South-East (5).’’

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