Senate President, Lawan ‘bows to pressure’, withdraws spokesperson’s appointment

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has withdrawn the appointment of Festus Adedayo, a columnist.

The senate president had appointed Adedayo as his special adviser on media and publicity and also retained Olu Onemola and Tope Olowoyeye, former aides of Bukola Saraki, his predecessor.

But in a statement on Thursday, Mohammed Isa, special assistant on media to the senate president, said Lawan had decided to rescind Adedayo’s appointment.

“The office of the President of the Senate has reviewed the appointment of Mr. Festus Adedayo as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate and decided to rescind its decision on the appointment, and wishes Mr. Adebayo the best in his future endeavours,” Isa said.

Some supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had kicked against the appointments.

On Thursday morning, a group known as APC stakeholders had accused the senate president of rewarding enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

Abu Andrew, spokesman of the group, had said the appointments  were “glaring” reward to people who have insulted Buhari.

“No doubt, the appointments are glaring reward for people who have not only insulted the person of President Muhammadu Buhari but also severally maligned the integrity of the office he occupies,” Andrew had said.

Aisha, wife of the president, also hinted that she was not in support of the development, tweeting a video of a protest of the group against the appointments.

"You cannot drive an agenda with people who don't believe in that agenda...how will you achieve your purpose If you bring in people who fought against your agenda."

- @Ayourb#APCYouths #MissionandVision #BelieveinBuharisIdeology pic.twitter.com/Wqjuz4c0WA

— Aisha M. Buhari (@aishambuhari) June 20, 2019

We had earlier reported the controversy as well as call for Mr Adedayo’s sack.

In his reaction, Mr Adedayo, a journalist and columnist, told PREMIUM TIMES he did not canvass for the position and that those condemning his appointment mistook him for a politician.

Mr Adedayo said he had no regrets about his critical commentaries, and that if he accepted the appointment he would do so to serve the country.

He however said he was consulting on whether to take the appointment or not, and also made clear should he accept the appointment, he would not do things differently from the way did before.