By Lawrence Agbo
Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has raised concerns over the processes that allegedly allowed an appointment letter linked to the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) to gain acceptance within government circles.
Speaking on Channels TV Politics Today, Chidoka questioned whether the purported appointment letter was subjected to the necessary verification by relevant government institutions before official actions were taken on it.
He asked why agencies, including the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, allegedly failed to confirm the document’s authenticity before acting on requests associated with it.
“The question is: Does the letter of appointment exist? Yes. Where did he get it from? When he sent it to the Secretary to the Government’s office, did they accept it without verification? When you wrote to the Head of Civil Service asking for an office, did you check whether that was the proper procedure?” Chidoka asked.
The former minister also dismissed suggestions that the President’s Chief of Staff has the authority to appoint or employ civil servants, describing the office as an administrative position responsible for coordinating the President’s activities rather than making government appointments.
He further lamented what he described as a growing culture of ignoring due process, saying those who challenge irregularities are often unfairly portrayed as obstacles rather than individuals seeking accountability.
(The Sun)