Gom Mirian
The Young Progressive Party (YPP) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to suspend Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over his alleged involvement in a scandalous contract at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
In an open letter to Tinubu on Tuesday night, the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri, accused the minister of abuse of office and demanded his immediate suspension.
The party threatened to mobilize youths nationwide to shut down Abuja on Monday, 15th January 2024, if the minister is not suspended within the stipulated time frame.
According to the YPP, evidence has been gathered that a company owned by minister Tunji-Ojo, New Planet Project Limited, received a total of N438.1 million from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under the leadership of Dr. Betta Edu for consultancy services, adding that the payment made to the minister’s company include N279 million for the verification of the list and an additional N159 million for the same purpose.
“This payment was part of the N3 billion awarded to several consultants for the National Social Register contract, which was intended for cash transfers and social investment programs.
“It is worth noting that the company, which was registered on March 3, 2009, with registration number 804833, has Minister Tunji-Ojo and his wife, Abimbola, listed as directors, with Gbadamasi Gbadamasi Clement as the company’s secretary.
“We strongly believe that Minister Tunji-Ojo’s actions are in direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the Code of Conduct law. Sections 5 and 6 of the Code of Conduct laws prohibit public officers from engaging in conflicts of interest and participating in any business other than farming.
“It is a known fact that a contract of this magnitude could not have been approved except by the Federal Executive Council Meeting of which Minister Tunji Ojo is a member.”
