 A clique in the Presidency is behind the hasty recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) ahead of next month's change of government in Abuja. The computer based aptitude test has been scheduled for Monday, April 20 to Friday, April 25 at designated centres across the country, according to information posted on the website: https://nis.fedcivilservice.gov.ng It is supposed to replace the March 15, 2014 ill fated recruitment by the NIS, which claimed the lives of 15 applicants. It was gathered yesterday that the planned recruitment is one of the several last minute projects being executed by Presidency and federal government officials for the purpose of packing their cronies and kinsmen in strategic positions, thereby loading up the system and creating crisis for the incoming government. It is also alleged that invitation for the aptitude test tilts heavily in favour of a section of the country at the expense of other geo political zones. For instance, as many as 4,800 applicants are expected to sit for the aptitude test in some centres as against about 130 in some others. A source familiar with the development pointed an accusing finger at a top Presidency official for the apparent favouritism. President Goodluck Jonathan, in an attempt to redeem the image of his government which was severely battered by the March 2014 recruitment death harvest, had ordered a fresh recruitment by a presidential committee. The panel headed by the Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, also comprised the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (OSGF), who doubled as Secretary, Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service; Representative of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation; Representative of the Commandant General, NSCDC; Representative of Controller General, Nigeria Prisons Service; Representative of the Corp Marshal, FRSC; Representative of the Director General, DSS; Representative of the Attorney General of the Federation and Representative of the Federal Character Commission. It was charged with the responsibility of re advertising the recruitment into the NIS with a view to starting the recruitment process afresh; processing the applications, shortlisting potential candidates and conducting the necessary interviews for the purpose of the recruitment exercise, among others. However, it was gathered that the Presidential official has since hijacked the functions of the committee to ensure that his kinsmen are the major beneficiaries of the recruitment. The Comptroller of Immigration, Mr.David Parradang, is stated to have been sidelined in the process just as he was in last year's ill fated exercise. Recruitment will be in three categories: superintendent, inspectorate and immigration assistance cadres. Federal government's pledge of assistance for the families of those who lost their lives during last year's aborted recruitment was not fulfilled until last month, a year after the tragedy, when President Jonathan handed out money and appointment letters to the beneficiaries. Each bereaved family got N5 million in addition to employment letters for three members of each family. President Jonathan stated at the presentation that Nigeria would never witness such tragedy again.The Nation