The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has withdrawn the appointment of Dr Festus Adedayo as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
The action follows a public outcry that greeted Adedayo’s appointment, barely 48 hours after the announcement.
A statement by the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Mr Mohammed Isa, on Thursday, explained that the appointment was rescinded in Adedayo’s best interest.
The statement read in part, “The office of the President of the Senate has reviewed the appointment of Dr Festus Adedayo as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate and decided to rescind its decision on the appointment.”
The statement wished Adedayo the best in his future endeavours.
Many All Progressives Congress’ supporters had invaded the social media space on Wednesday when Adedayo’s appointment was made public.
Most of the critics of his appointment argued that Adedayo did not deserve the position because of his critical views on the APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari, as regularly expressed in his articles in the media.
Adedayo had also replied the politician critics that he had no apologies over his actions because he was merely doing his job as a professional journalist.
A reliable source close to the President of the Senate’s office told the News Agency of Nigeria that the decision to drop Adedayo was reached on Wednesday night in a meeting by key officers of the Red Chamber.
The meeting was said to have held in Lawan’s residence and was chaired by him.
NAN confirmed that the Office of the Senate President had begun the process of finding a replacement for him.
A similar outcry is also trailing the re-appointment of four other media aides announced by Lawan to serve him. The aides also served his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki.
The aides include Mr Mohammed Isa, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity; Olu Onemola, Special Assistant on New Media; and Tope Olowoeye, Senior Legislative Aide on Media and Publicity (Photography).
NAN, however, learnt that Lawan stood his ground on the aides, saying he would retain them.