By joshua IST Crisis: APC Elders Council Urges SGF to review, implement Tinubu’s appointment of Azi
The Plateau Elders Advisory Council, of All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to review and implement President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Hon. Amos Isaac Azi as Chairman of the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST).
The council, which made the appeal in a letter signed by Amb. Danladi Wuyep, Chairman and Dr. Musa Garba Musa, Secretary, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday, said correcting the abnormally would save government from further embarrassment.
The president Tinubu’s reappointed chairman of the IST, Hon. Amos Isaac Azi, was forcefully removed from office by the SGF who appointed one Mr Aminu Junaidu as its chairman a month after entering office.
The council said, “We were shocked to later learn that after Mr. Azi has assumed office, one Mr. Aminu
Junadu from Zamfara State was appointed and arrived at the IST Headquarters with armed men
to forcefully take over.
“But for the maturity demonstrated by Mr. Azi, the situation would have
degenerated to something else.
“In view of the foregoing, we appeal to you to look into this matter with a view to correcting the anomalies inherent in this matter. It is imperative to note that not doing so would dampen the morale of our supporters.
“Our distinguished SGF, why it has become expedient for us to make this appeal is because we are bold to say that Mr. Azi is an ardent sympathizer of our great party from its formative stage to now, an admirer of our President and one of the patrons of the Tinubu support organisation (TSO)
in Plateau State.
“For a fact, we’re aware that his reappointment went through all due processes in line with extant provisions of the enabling law regarding such appointment, should this matter dove-tell to litigation, your office and the government may be embarrassed.
“Your Excellency, further to the above, on the face of the appointment letter being paraded by the said Jinadu, the letter is said to have been signed by your good self. We’re curious because we know you are a strong and reliable pillar and protector of the interest of the people of the Middle Belt region.”
The elders said that at the time of Azi’s first appointment, the Tribunal was engulfed in a series of crises but based on his records of service at the Tribunal, he deployed his wealth of experience and expertise to stabilize the institution.
According to the council, that feat prompted the Federal Ministry of Finance to give him letters of commendation at various times.
“Thus, we were not surprised when the then Minister of Finance recommended to Mr. President for his reappointment.
“In fact, we were happy and celebrated his reappointment by Mr. President in August 2025, but not any more.
“The Council arrived at the decision to take this cause of action as a result of what it perceived as an injustice done to an illustrious son of the state, Hon Barr Amos Isaac Azi, to seek a political
solution to this issue and to foreclose any avoidable litigation that could be embarrassing to our government.
“We also wish to have an audience with you, sir, at your earliest convenience, on the matter, the council stated.
Similarly, the council has written to the APC National Chairman, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, urging him to use his good offices to urgently intervene and ensure the Presidential approval is implemented forthwith.
It said that it further seek Yilwatda’s intervention to guard against actions that may give the impression of
administrative lawlessness, thereby undermining the integrity of the President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu-led APC administration.
The council noted, “This is coming against the back-drop of incidences of
infamous fake agencies and their leadership.
“You may wish to note that the matter is already in the public domain and we are seeking your intervention to avert the obvious embarrassment this matter may cause the government and your good self as the son of the soil should it assume a legal dimension.”
The council said it put its trust in APC chairman’s commitment to justice, equity and good governance and looked forward to his swift intervention.
It could recalled that Plateau Democratic Movement (PDM), had separately petitioned the Senate President and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate alleged abuse of office in the removal of Mr Amos Azi as Chairman of the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST).
The PDM Petitions came after a prominent advocacy group, Make A Difference Initiative (MADI), had also petitioned the senate over what it described as “a breach of the Investment and Securities Act 2025,” by the SGF, Sen. George Akume. END