Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, says he is not nursing the ambition to become governor of Adamawa.

Lawal told newsmen in Yola on Saturday that the speculation was baseless, adding that at his age and position as SGF, it was not proper for him to think of serving as state governor in the future.

“At over 60 years of age and my position as SGF, I should not be thinking of being a governor; governorship should be left for younger people.”

Lawal also said he was not planning to sponsor a candidate for governorship of the state.

“The whole thing is funny; they are even saying that I favour my own tribe of Kilba in federal appointments because Boss Mustafa was recently appointed the Managing Director of Nigeria Inland Waterways Agency.

“People need to know that Mustafa is not only well qualified for the job but also a chieftain of the party who actively participated as an official in Buhari Campaign Organisation.

“Buhari knows Mustafa’s capacity and Buhari's appointments are always based on merit.

“If they said I engineered the appointment of Mustafa because he is a Kilba man like me, how about other appointments of Adamawa indigenes that are not Kilba.

“Another funny thing is that in Abuja, some people are accusing me of favoring Adamawa.”

He urged Nigerians to shun rumours and politics of sentiments, adding that Buhari has good plans for Nigerian and was committed to positive transformation of the country.

The SGF said recent deregulation of the downstream sector that led to rise in fuel prize was a painful decision taken by the administration to save the nation's economy from total collapse.

“It was a very difficult task convincing the president on this. The president is always on the side of the masses.

“The president is not easily convinced when additional hardship is placed on the people.” (NAN)

•Photo shows SGF Babachir Lawal.