Worried Nigerian Citizens (WNC) has swollen the number of Nigerians opposing the appointment of Shaaka Chira as substantive Auditor-General of the Federation (AGoF).

His confirmation was put on hold last week by the Senate following petitions that as the most junior director in the office, he allegedly lacked the requisite experience to head such a sensitive position.

Its petition, “President Bola Tinubu should revisit the appointment of Mr. Shaaka Chira as Auditor-General of the Federation in the interest of Nigeria Civil Service,” was signed by the convener, Moses Idika, and copied Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas and Head of the Civil Service Commission.

The group, while wondering why Chira, who reportedly ranked 17th among the 17 directors in the AGoF office, should be considered over his seniors, implored the President Tinubu to immediately reverse the appointment, citing disobedience to civil service rule.

WNC noted: “The Senate, last week, put on hold the confirmation of Mr. Shaaka Chira as substantive Auditor-General of the Federation. We are aware that several directors within the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation were behind the petition that the Senate relied upon to put on hold the confirmation.”

“We are concerned over the brewing disquiet that has greeted the appointment of Mr. Shaaka Chira as Auditor-General of the Federation, unlike several other appointments made by President Bola Tinubu in the last few months. The disquiet stems from the fact that Chira, the 18th on the line of seniority in the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, was appointed to leap and head the 17 other directors, who are his seniors.

“It is instructive for the Federal Government to take into cognisance the debilitating effect this appointment may have on the civil service, and the morale of officers of the service. The Nigeria Civil Service, like others in other parts of the world, thrives on hard work and elevation, rooted in promotions and an unbroken chain of command.”

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