Tensions are running high within the Nigerian civil service following the sudden reversal of the acting Accountant-General of the Federation?s appointment, with insiders attributing the move to an escalating power tussle among political heavyweights in the presidency, finance ministry and Office of the AGF (OAGF).

Cracks within the civil service were noticed last week after President Bola Tinubu reportedly stayed action on the appointment of the new Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr. Shelmsudeen Babatunde Ogunjimi.

The move follows the advice of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack.

It was gathered that she felt the appointment of an acting AGF could only be made at the expiration of the terminal leave of the substantive AGF, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.

It was further learnt that Walson-Jack saw it as inappropriate and blatant negation of civil service procedures to have a substantive AGF and acting AGF when the former was yet to complete the retirement process.

Madein, who was caught unawares by the appointment of a new AGF without her input, had insisted on completing her mandatory retirement procedures before quitting.

The entire back and forth has bred tension within as OAGF workers are confused and really do not know who is in charge and whose lead must be followed.

?This issue is beyond us the staff. When the matter is settled, we?ll know who is who. This addition and subtraction is beyond us. It?s pure politics at work,? an OAGF staff member told Daily Sun.

Already, tongues are wagging as many note that the Head of the Civil Service allegedly ?misled? the President on Federal Government Public Service Rules with regards to retirement procedure.

At the center of the issue is the application or otherwise of Section 120243 of the Federal Government Public Service Rules.

It says: ?Officers are required to give three months? notice to retire from Service before the effective date of retirement.

?At the commencement of three months, Officers should proceed immediately to the mandatory one-month pre-retirement workshop/seminar.

?For the remaining two months, retiring officers are expected to take necessary measures to put their records straight so as to facilitate the speedy processing of their retirement benefits.?

As the matter simmers, some insist the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation allegedly ?misadvised? President Bola Tinubu, recommending that no new Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) be appointed until March 7, 2025, when Oluwatoyin Madein?s tenure was expected to end.

However, it was later clarified that President Tinubu acted ?perfectly within his rights? in making the widely acclaimed appointment.

Interestingly, a similar interpretation of public service rules was cited by a former Head of the Civil Service, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, during ex-President Muhammadu Buhari?s administration.

According to Section 120243 of the Federal Government Public Service Rules, Madein was required to disengage by December 7, 2024.

A source in the civil service said: ?We learnt the President stayed action on Ogunjinmi?s appointment because of an advisory from the Head of the Civil Service. It is not mandatory for the outgoing AGF to be in office for the next three months.

?A civil servant going on retirement has skeletal engagement to do in office after 35 years. Actually, he or she should be preoccupied with the transition to a new occupant of the office.

?The President must end this sit-tight syndrome in public service. What we now experience is for workers not to go on pre-retirement leave. They work till the last day.

?This is exactly what is happening in this case of the new AGF, whose appointment did not have the endorsement of either the Head of the Civil Service or the outgoing AGF.

?There is a plot to reverse the appointment of Ogunjimi by turning the Public Service Rules upside down.

?I think some forces were not happy with the President?s choice of Ogunjimi and they want to use civil service rules to scuttle it.

They already knew the President is a due process man.

?Barrister Danladi Kifasi was Head of Service under Buhari, he gave three months? notice and retired. There is a need for consistency and time to eschew nepotism.?

A retired Permanent Secretary, who spoke in confidence, said: ?This is an attempt to overrule the President by the Head of the Civil Service. This is abnormal.

?Was the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) not removed despite the fact he has up till August 2025 to complete his second term in office?

?No one can choose a team the President should work with for him.?

On December 10, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Mr. Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF). According to a statement by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the appointment takes effect immediately, following the pre-retirement leave of the incumbent AGF, Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.

President Tinubu, in announcing Madein?s successor, emphasized his commitment to ensuring a seamless transition in managing Nigeria?s treasury while consolidating ongoing treasury policy reforms. ?The Office of the Accountant-General is pivotal to our nation?s treasury management operations. Mr. Ogunjimi?s wealth of experience and notable competence will ensure the continued effectiveness of this vital institution as we advance our economic reform agenda,? the President stated.

A seasoned career civil servant and the most senior director in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr. Ogunjimi brings over 30 years of expertise in financial management spanning both public and private sectors. He has held prominent roles, including Director of Funds at the OAGF and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Ogunjimi is a distinguished professional, holding certifications as a chartered accountant, certified fraud examiner, chartered stockbroker, and chartered security and investment specialist. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accountancy and a Master?s degree in Finance and Accounting. (Daily Sun)

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