The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has revealed on Thursday that all his appointments were strictly based on merit and not based on ethnic or regional balance.

Speaking during an interview with Arise TV, the president, who had been accused of allegedly appointing more northerners in strategic positions, disclosed that he cannot discard seniority and merit for balance and federal character.

PUNCH reported that the Nigerian Constitution states that major appointments and other privileges should be shared in such a way that it reflects Federal Character that is evenly balanced across the 36 states.

In his submission, the president who stated that these positions need to be earned, said he cannot favour those who have spent shorter years in service.

“People who have been there for 18 years or even for 10 years, they trained in Zaria or in Abeokuta, they come through the ranks.

“And because they served under all the circumstances, the crises and everything and they gradually rise to that status and you think you just pick somebody just to balance up? These positions have to be earned,” he said.

The recent appointment of the Chief of Army Staff, Yahaya Faruk, however, contradicts the claim by the President.

He has been heavily criticised for choosing Yahaya over many of his seniors who have more years in service and are now to be forced into retirement.