ABUJA, NIGERIA – The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has debunked reports alleging a plan to unlawfully extend the tenure of Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Permanent Secretary for the FCT.
According to a statement aired by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), the OHCSF described the reports as false and misleading, warning that such claims could erode public confidence in the civil service.
Director of Information and Public Relations, Eno Olotu, said all decisions on tenure or retirement are guided by the Public Service Rules and require proper approval. “There is no plan to extend Mr. Aduda’s tenure or that of any other Permanent Secretary,” Olotu clarified.
Head of Civil Service, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, stressed her commitment to rule-based administration. “I remain focused on merit, integrity, and transparent leadership,” she said, adding that trust in public institutions must be preserved.
The statement reaffirmed that tenure decisions are not influenced by external pressure or political interests. This counters speculations that senior officials were manipulating procedures to retain certain bureaucrats.
Public policy analyst, Ijeoma Onuoha, warned that even unverified reports can fuel public distrust. “If Nigerians believe rules are bent for a few, it weakens accountability across institutions,” she told NTA.
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Critics argue that frequent tenure controversies distract from pressing governance issues. If public trust continues to decline, the legitimacy of civil service appointments could face long-term damage.
The OHCSF urged citizens to verify information before sharing and cautioned against narratives that politicize bureaucratic processes or promote misinformation.
The potential implication of such claims, if left unchallenged, is the erosion of transparency in public administration and the normalization of rule circumvention.
The office concluded by affirming its stance on discipline, fairness, and respect for service protocols across all ministries and agencies.
