By Dorathy Aninge
Leaders of the North Central geopolitical zone have praised President Bola Tinubu for a “display of a spirit of fairness” in ministerial appointments.
Under the auspices of the League of Middle Belt Bishops, the leaders, led by Bishop Alli John Alli, also urged Tinubu to designate High Chief Moses Ayom as Ambassador-Designate to China.
In a letter to the Presidency on Monday, Bishop Alli urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, and Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, to endorse the appointment of Avom as Ambassador to China.
The leaders identified Ayom as having an advantage over other contenders for the position in the letter, which was also copied to the North Central Zone governors, because he was the most competent.
They said if given the chance, the former presidential aspirant on Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, who stepped down for Tinubu during the 2023 primary election, would deliver on the mandate.
According to them, the economic relationship that Ayom has developed with the Chinese government over the years, as well as his business contacts in China, will be used to secure a strong mutual engagement with Asia for Nigeria’s overall development.
To the president, they recommended that he choose capable hands for ambassadorial positions, because if Avom, is nominated as the Chinese envoy, he will not disappoint him or Nigerians.
Ayom’s contribution and sacrifices for the APC, as well as his devotion for the country, the organisation contended, were also noteworthy.
In the letter titled: “Before it is too late”, the leaders said; “We are here once again as an umbrella body of Middle Belt Bishops, to commend the President for his unbiased appointments so far.
“However, recall that, High Chief Moses Ayom was the leader of agitation for Middle Belt presidency, but later dropped his ambition and went all out to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is now our president.
“In his uncommon generosity, he also donated his multi-billion naira property on Ahmadu Bello way, popularly known as “Heritage Africa” to President Tinubu, which was used, and is still being used after the campaigns. This is a huge sacrifice that will only come from a dedicated, committed and patriotic citizen.
“Ayom has shown undiluted love and patriotism for this country and for the fact that there has been a very solid relationship and understanding that had existed between the Middle Belt and Southwest right from the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Chief Ayom has also invested his time, skills and resources in campaigning for Tinubu and Alia, and by the grace of God, both are now president and governor respectively.
As a result, they believe Ayom should not be forgotten and should be nominated as Nigeria’s Ambassador designate to China, based on his connections with the Chinese and the rest of Asia, or assigned to lead a government agency or parastatal.
“We believe this will be the minimum the trio of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sen. George Akume, and Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia will do for Chief Moses as a mark of reward for his immeasurable contributions.
NAN
