By Ikechukwu Amaechi
I am
an advocate of merit. I believe that part of the problem of the country is that
we have perfected putting square pegs in round holes. We sacrifice excellence
on the altar of primordial mawkishness and nepotism with disastrous
consequences.
I refrained
from commenting before now on President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointments which
favour the North more than the South because I thought it was too early to
start reading meanings into his actions.
His critics
allege that there is a tinge of clannishness in all his appointments. These
allegations are not new. He failed in his earlier attempts to become the chief
tenant of Aso Rock because of the perception that he has a mindset that is not
nationally inclined.
Many
Nigerians, particularly those from the South, distrusted Buhari. He is
perceived to be too cliquish, narrow and insular in his worldview despite his
military background.