From Scholastica Onyeka, Makurdi
A group of Middle Belt Bishops has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint Chief Moses Ayom as Nigeria’s ambassador to China.
Moses Ayom is a Middle Belt presidency agitation leader and former All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant in the recently concluded 2023 general elections.
The group led by Bishop Alli John Alli, in a letter to President Tinubu and copied to all Middle Belt governors, listed the contributions of Ayom to the campaigns and eventual victory recorded by the APC in the February 25 presidential election.
Recall that Ayom, who is an international businessman with a special interest in Nigeria and Chinese economic and business relationship had last year congratulated the President of the Peoples Republic of China, Xi Jinping, on the celebration of China’s New Year.
The Bishops noted that with Ayom’s experience and business relationship with the Republic of China, he is better placed to serve as Nigeria’s envoy to China.
Tagged “Before it is too late”, the Bishops’ letter reads, “We are here once again as an umbrella body of Middle Belt Bishops to commend the President for his unbiased appointments so far, however, he should recall that, High Chief Moses Ayom was the leader of the agitation for Middle Belt presidency, but later dropped his ambition, went all out there and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is now our president.”
The Bishops’ letter noted that “Ayom did that for love of this country, undiluted patriotism and for the fact that there has been a very solid relationship and understanding that had existed between the Middle Belt and Southwest right from the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and not just that, JS Tarka also had a pact with people of the Northeast particular in the current Borno State, it was this same pact that Kashim Ibrahim rode through to represent Jemgbagh constituency.”
“Chief Ayom has also invested his time, skills and resources in campaigning for Tinubu and Alia and by the grace of God, both are now president and Governor respectively.
“In his uncommon generosity, Ayom also donated his multibillion naira property on Ahmadu Bello Way, popularly known as “Heritage Africa” to Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu which was used before, during and still being used after the campaigns. This is a huge sacrifice that will only come from a dedicated, committed and patriotic citizen.”
The Bishops disclosed that in response to Ayom’s sacrifices, “an official letter of commendation and appreciation was written personally to Chief Ayom, commending him for the excellent job he did for APC, the President and Alia. It is this success.
“We therefore wish and also submit strongly that, Chief Ayom shouldn’t be forgotten, he should be nominated as Nigerian Ambassador designate to China based on his connection with the Chinese and the whole of Asia or he should be appointed to head any federal agency or parastatal, we believe this will be the minimum the trio of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sen. George Akume and Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia will do for Chief Moses as a mark of reward for his immeasurable contributions.”
The Bishops described Tinubu, Akume and Alia as people known for rewarding good deeds and expressed hope that their appeal will yield the desired outcome and Ayom’s name will be among the next batch of appointments.