The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has urged President Bola Tinubu to dismiss the embattled Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and her counterpart, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo of the Interior Ministry.
During a press briefing in Enugu on Wednesday, the National President of the youth group, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, emphasized that President Tinubu’s commitment to reducing the cost of governance and eradicating corruption should be substantiated by the immediate removal of Edu and Tunji-Ojo.
Tinubu had previously suspended Edu following the discovery of a memo where she requested the transfer of N585 million to a private account. Meanwhile, the Interior Minister is facing scrutiny over allegations that his company, New Planet Project, received substantial consultancy fees for work done for the scandal-ridden Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Addressing the media, the President of the Ohanaeze Youths recalled the group’s support for President Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, expressing concern that while Nigerians were enduring hardship, a few individuals were enjoying lavish lifestyles.
He said, “we are alarmed, like many other Nigerians, over the level of rot in the Humanitarian Ministry ever since it was established. It is clear that it was set up simply as a drain pipe.
“The Nigerian youths are appalled that while they languish in unemployment and abject poverty, a few individuals are living large with our common patrimony.
“Mr President, during his visit to Imo State on Monday re-echoed his determination to fight corruption. He identified this as one of the major reasons he removed fuel subsidy.
“While we hail his promise, we believe that he should convince Nigerians that there are no sacred cows by outrightly sacking the Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Beta Edu and the Interior Minister, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
“Even though Tunji-Ojo is one of the best hands in this administration with the reformations he has carried out in the passport process, we cannot but say that the payment of millions of Naira to a company he has interest in is a great dent to his reputation.”
“We, therefore, urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to wield the big stick by sacking the two ministers.
“This will send a clear signal to other of his aides and head of government agencies and MDAs,” Okwu stated.
