The Concerned APC Youths Forum, Zamfara Chapter, has expressed strong opposition to the reappointment of Hajiya Fatima Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisan Gold Mining Initiative.
During a press conference held at Top Rank Hotel, Utako, Abuja on Tuesday, the group, led by its convener, Comrade Shuaibu Abdulkadir, described the reappointment as a violation of civil service rules and a breach of long-standing government tradition, which limits the tenure of Chief Executive Officers of government agencies to two terms.
The group noted that Hajiya Shinkafi was first appointed to the position in 2017, with her tenure renewed in 2021, and her current term is expected to end in five months. They argued that the decision to offer her a third term goes against established norms and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the move.
“This reappointment would set a dangerous precedent,” Abdulkadir warned. “It is a violation of civil service rules and a clear departure from the tradition of allowing only two terms for the heads of government agencies.”
The forum accused Hajiya Shinkafi of neglecting her duties to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the people of Zamfara State. They claimed she failed to support the APC during critical elections, including President Tinubu’s presidential bid and Governor Bello Matawalle’s re-election campaign.
“She did not mobilize support for the APC during the elections,” the group stated. “Instead, she allegedly used the resources of her office to promote the opposition party in the state.”
The group challenged Hajiya Shinkafi and her supporters to provide evidence refuting their claims.
In their appeal to President Tinubu, the forum requested a reversal of Hajiya Shinkafi’s appointment and the reinstatement of the previously announced appointment of Hon. Yazid Danfulani as Executive Secretary. They lauded Danfulani’s contributions to youth development, student support, and the empowerment of small and medium enterprises in Zamfara State.
The forum outlined three key demands to the president:
Reconsideration of the Third-Term Appointment: The forum urged the president to adhere to established norms and avoid setting a precedent for third-term appointments for agency heads.
Reinstatement of Hon. Yazid Danfulani: They called for a reversal of the earlier appointment notice, which had listed Danfulani as the new Executive Secretary.
Investigation of Misinformation: They requested an investigation into those responsible for allegedly misleading the president and the Minister of Solid Minerals into believing that Hajiya Shinkafi had only served one term.
“We believe that a reversal of this decision will strengthen public trust in the fairness and integrity of appointments made by this administration,” Abdulkadir concluded.
The forum’s statement underscores growing discontent within the APC youth community over certain appointments in the Tinubu administration. It remains to be seen how the presidency will respond to the appeal.
