Ignore Opposition to Adeniyi’s Confirmation as Customs Boss, Group Tells Tinubu

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has alleged that some disgruntled people opposed to the confirmation of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as  Comptroller General the Nigerian Customs have resorted to campaign of calumny against him.

In a statement yesterday, in Kaduna, the group said the disgruntled elements had been fabricating fake news against Adeniyi  and asking Tinubu not to confirm him as the substantive Comptroller General of Customs.

The statement signed by Mohammed Danlami, spokesperson of the AYA, called on Tinubu to disregard  such reports and confirmed Adeniyi to continue with his good works.

Danlami, said those who are not happy with the achievements of Adeniyi had resolved to smear campaign and cheap blackmail aimed at destroying his hard earned reputation.

He said, “The attention of Arewa Youth Assembly has been drawn to multiple publications awashed in the media calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to not  confirm the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi over alleged aged falsification.

“We consequently bring to the notice of the public that those articles were not only sponsored, but concocted and circulated by certain rotten and disgruntled elements who are not happy with the achievements of the Acting Comptroller.

“They have resorted  to smear campaign and cheap blackmail, aimed at destroying his hard earned reputation.”

The group described Adeniyi as, “a fine, gentleman and hardworking Customs Officer with strong moral upbringing.”

According to the statement, “Adeniyi  was the recipient of  the prestigious Comptroller-General of Customs Award for the seizure of over $8 million in cash at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in January, 2020.

“In the over three decades he served in the customs, he held several strategic positions. He was the Head of Public Relations, he was also the Commandant, Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

“We hereby send a strong word of caution to the sponsors and authors of these fabricated lies against the Acting Comptroller General of Customs to desist from doing so, as their action is punishable by law.

“We call on Nigerians to disregard such fabriacted news as it is the handiwork of mischief makers and enemies of progress.

“We call on Nigerians to support the Acting Comptroller General and the Nigeria Customs to continue with the good works they are doing.”