Alexis Uchendu
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is under growing pressure from both the Auditor-General’s Office Union and a legal luminary, Jacob Udobang, over the appointment of Mr. Abdullahi Ibn Salihu as Director of Accounts and Acting Head of the Office of the Auditor-General for FCT Area Councils.
In a strongly worded petition, the Union described the appointment as a violation of constitutional provisions, arguing that assigning an auditee to oversee audit operations compromises the Office’s independence and integrity.
They further decried the exclusion of competent internal staff from promotion, calling for a reversal of the appointment.
Backing the Union’s stance, the legal practitioner, Udobang, in a letter to Wike, warned that the failure to appoint a substantive Auditor-General for the FCT, breaches civil service laws and weakens financial accountability.
He urged the Wike to restore due process and ensure fair promotions within the Office.
Amid rising concerns, stakeholders are also calling for the reintroduction of the Audit Bill, which was passed by the 9th Assembly but not assented to, as a means to secure the autonomy of the Auditor-General’s Office.
The controversy continues to build as expectations mount on Wike to act swiftly in addressing the concerns and safeguarding the Office’s credibility.
