Buhari to MDAs: Ignore ‘referral letters’ for employment, contracts from political office holders

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday ordered Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to disregard any purported request from government officials aimed at conferring undue advantage on anyone seeking jobs or other favours.

The President’s warning was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

The statement was signed by Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture.

The minister said that the president’s directive was a sequel to persistent reports of fraudsters using the business cards and purported referral letters from presidential aides and other government officials to solicit employment, contract and other favours.

Mr Mohammed said that the President equally warned political appointees and other government officials against using their positions to bestow undue advantage on anyone seeking government jobs and other favours.

The President, according to the minister, emphasised that such act “is antithetical to the character of the Administration”.

“The Administration has put in place a systematic and disciplined approach to ensure that the government runs smoothly for all Nigerians, whether in the area of employment or contract procurement.

”This system should be allowed to work for all Nigerians without interference,” he said.