The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to urgently reverse the controversial extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, describing the move as a glaring example of nepotism and systemic marginalization of the South-East.
In a strongly worded statement released by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed deep disappointment over what it termed "a deliberate pattern of appointments that continues to sideline competent officers from the South-East while favoring candidates based on ethnic and regional affiliation."
"The recent tenure extension granted to Mr. Adeniyi, despite the existence of other equally qualified senior officers—some of whom hail from the South-East—is another case of executive impunity and institutional bias," Dr. Ogbonnia stated.
Ohanaeze noted that the Nigeria Customs Service, like other federal institutions, should be run in line with the principles of federal character, equity, and meritocracy, warning that continued violations would further alienate regions already nursing longstanding grievances of political and economic exclusion.
The group also questioned the legality and justification behind the extension, stating that the tenure policy within Nigeria’s public service framework is being “manipulated to suit vested interests.”
“There must be an end to this selective favoritism. The extension of Mr. Adeniyi’s tenure is unjustifiable and should be reversed immediately in the interest of national unity and institutional credibility,” the statement continued.
Ohanaeze further called on the National Assembly, civil society organizations, and well-meaning Nigerians to speak out against such discriminatory practices that threaten the fragile peace and cohesion of the Nigerian federation.
“We are not asking for undue privilege for the South-East,” Ohanaeze clarified, “but for fairness, balance, and respect for the rule of law.”
The group warned that failure to address the perceived injustice could further fuel agitation and resentment in the region, urging the federal government to reconsider its approach to appointments and promotions within strategic agencies of state.