Buhari didn’t tell me he won’t make me SGF – Onu

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ogbonnaya Onu,has denied rumours trending on social media that President Muhammadu Buharitold him he would not be appointed secretary to the government of thefederation (SGF).
According to a Facebook post, Onu reportedly told a friend that Buharicalled him to explain that he would not be named SGF shortly before newappointments were announced last week.
The former governor of Abia state was generally believed to be thepreferred choice for the position but Buhari picked Babachir Lawal, an ITengineer from Adamawa State.

 
Onu denied the rumour yesterday in a statement issued by his media officeand signed by Sunny Onyeukwu.
The statement reads: “The attention of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu,has been drawn to a seeming orchestrated campaign apparently originatingfrom the social media to smear his hard earned reputation.
“On Saturday, August 28, this year, a Facebook broadcast titled “SGF;Ogbonnaya Onu and Vainglorious Nigerians” allegedly at the instance of oneAjayi Temitope was circulated in the social media without his knowledge andconsent.
“In it, Dr. Onu was falsely and perhaps maliciously credited as having toldan unnamed friend of Mr. Ajayi Temitope in a 35minute telephoneconversation that prior to the announcement of appointments into theoffices of Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government ofthe Federation, among other positions, he (Dr.) Onu was informed by Mr.President of his intended action and why he would not be chosen forappointment as SGF.
“The Facebook broadcast further falsely credited Dr. Onu with expressingregrets about how his Abuja residence had become “a Mecca of sorts” forthose seeking patronage from him in anticipation of his appointment as SGFand lamented that soon after the announcement was made without his beingappointed to serve in the exalted capacity, his residence became deserted.
“For the avoidance of doubt, it has become important to state in strongterms that Dr. Onu never expressed the views credited to him in theFacebook broadcast as no such conversation ever took place between him andour respected Mr. President. He could not have, therefore, communicated anonexistent conversation to another person, more so an unnamed individualon telephone. Accordingly, it is false, cheap and utterly in bad faith.
Already, Dr. Onu has personally issued a rebuttal on the matter which hasbeen circulated in the social media in a Press Statement dated August 30,2015.
“However, it has become necessary to issue the foregoing clarification in view of ongoing efforts in some sections of the print and electronic mediato further allude to the same phony Facebook broadcast without verifyingthe proof of its authenticity. Needless to add that such is capable of
misleading the general public and by implication, injure the well-knownintegrity and honour which Dr. Onu holds sacred and guards jealously.
“At this juncture, it is important to recall that soon after theinauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, this year, the socialmedia was awash with the purported “news” of his “appointment” as Secretaryto the Government of the Federation.
“Specifically on May 31, this year, a spurious Twitter account surfaced inhis name where he was quoted as having “thanked God and the good people ofNigeria for this opportunity to serve”. This was despite the fact that Dr.Onu does not own or operate a personal Twitter account, thus prompting himto disclaim the broadcast in a Statement dated June 1, 2015, which wascirculated in the social media.
“As one of the founding National Leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC,it is his conviction that nothing should be done to injure the rights ofcitizens to free speech, especially in a democracy. However, in theexercise of such rights, care and respect must be observed to ensure thatit is done within the ambit of the law, guided by respect for the truth,good conscience and sincerity of purpose.
“It is hoped that in all circumstances, more so in a democracy, the truthshould not be twisted to serve pre-determined ends nor should the rights ofindividuals be muzzled to score cheap political points.
“Finally, Dr. Onu reaffirms his faith in our democracy as the immutablevehicle of popular choice for a new Nigeria, where though tribe and tonguemay differ, as brothers and sisters, united in the pursuit of a commondestiny, we must continue to stand firm, resolute and together.”