Tinubu Withdraws Nomination Of 24-Year-Old FERMA Chairman Following Public Criticism

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday directed the withdrawal of the nomination of 24-year-old Imam Kashim Imam who was recently appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the decision in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu directs withdrawal of FERMA Chairmanship nomination.’

On Friday, Tinubu restructured the Governing Board and Management team of FERMA, granting them a renewable term of four years.

He appointed as Board Chairman Imam, son of Borno-born politician Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, who ran for the Office of Governor of his State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2003 and 2007, losing both times to the All Nigeria Peoples Party’s Ali Modu Sheriff.

Thursday’s withdrawal followed harsh criticism from some Nigerians who contended that Imam, though a first-class graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Brighton University in the UK, has no prior work experience.

Although the Presidency did not announce his replacement, it said the “withdrawal of the above-mentioned nomination is directed with immediate effect.”

“All other appointments to the Board and Executive Management team of FERMA are not affected by this directive,” the statement read.

Kanyi Daily recalls that Bola Tinubu had also appointed Ola Olukoyede as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pending confirmation by the Senate.