Read Why Buhari Dropped Musa Ibeto As Ministerial Nominee And Replaced Him With Abubakar Bwari Bawa
President Muhammadu Buhari may have dropped a ministerial nominee, Musa Ibeto, to avert a political crisis in Niger State. Ibeto is the state’s immediate past deputy governor.
Buhari’s nomination of Ibeto was said to have altered the state’s power zoning formula.
Although Ibeto had undergone security checks, his nomination was said to have unsettled Governor Abubakar Bello.
A highly-placed source, who spoke with newsmen, said the President dropped him after much pressure. Ibeto defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) on the eve of last elections.
The president has replaced him with Abubakar Bwari Bawa.
The source said:
“The dropping of Ibeto had nothing to do with fraud. His nomination distorted the mutual power rotation formula in Niger State and it was causing political tension.
“The President was faced with the options of either putting the state in perpetual crisis or sacrificing Ibeto who contributed much to his victory. Ibeto did not only shelve his governorship ambition, he made sure he delivered the state to APC. Buhari recognised his personal hard work and sacrifice.
“The elders of Niger State, including top military elites, mounted pressure on Buhari to avert threats to the peaceful coexistence of the people of the state.”
Giving insights into the power rotation formula, the source added:
“Unaware of the zoning principle, President Buhari nominated Ibeto as a minister from Zone C where the governor hails from.
“The expectation of the people of the state was that the ministerial nominee will come from Zone B which has not got any high-level political appointment.
“Following pressure from political leaders, especially the military elite, Buhari was persuaded to ensure equity and fairness. The President bowed to pressure and appointed a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bwari, from Zone B.”Read More
