A council of elders of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has asked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to implement President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Amos Isaac Azi as chairman of the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST), saying the dispute risks embarrassing the government.
The Plateau Elders Advisory Council made the appeal in a letter to the SGF, George Akume, signed by its chairman, Danladi Wuyep, and its secretary, Musa Garba Musa. The letter was made available to journalists in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The council said Azi was reappointed by Tinubu in August 2025 but was later forced out of office. It alleged that a month after Azi resumed, the SGF’s office appointed Aminu Junaidu, from Zamfara State, as chairman, and that Junaidu arrived at the tribunal’s headquarters with armed men to take over.
“But for the maturity demonstrated by Mr. Azi, the situation would have degenerated,” the council said.
The elders said Azi’s reappointment followed due process under the tribunal’s enabling law, and warned that litigation could embarrass both the SGF’s office and the government. They said they were curious because the appointment letter being shown by Junaidu was reported to bear the SGF’s signature.
The council described Azi as a longtime supporter of the APC and a patron of the Tinubu Support Organisation in Plateau State. It said leaving the matter unresolved would dampen the morale of party supporters. It also asked for a meeting with the SGF.
The elders said the tribunal was in crisis during Azi’s first term, and that he stabilised it with his experience. They said the Federal Ministry of Finance commended him on several occasions, and that the then finance minister recommended his reappointment to Tinubu.
The council has also written to the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, urging him to ensure the presidential approval is implemented. It said failure to do so could create an impression of “administrative lawlessness” and undermine the Tinubu administration. It added that the dispute comes amid public concern over fake agencies and their leadership.
The dispute has already drawn separate complaints. The Plateau Democratic Movement has petitioned the Senate President and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate alleged abuse of office over Azi’s removal. The advocacy group Make A Difference Initiative has also petitioned the Senate, alleging that Akume breached the Investment and Securities Act 2025
