The Young Progressive Party (YPP) has issued a fervent plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to suspend the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, amidst allegations of his involvement in a controversial contract with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Expressing a sense of urgency, the party has given a 48-hour ultimatum for the suspension of the minister, threatening nationwide youth mobilization to shut down Abuja on Monday, 15th January 2024, should their demand go unmet.
In an open letter addressed to Tinubu on Tuesday night, Comrade Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri, the National Chairman of the YPP, cited abuse of office as the primary reason for seeking the minister’s suspension.
The party claims to possess evidence pointing to Tunji-Ojo’s alleged fraudulent activities within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, which is under the leadership of Dr. Betta Edu.
The YPP is emphatically urging Tinubu to initiate legal proceedings against Minister Tunji-Ojo, asserting that such actions would serve as a deterrent to others in positions of power.
The letter revealed detailed allegations, stating that New Planet Project Limited, a company owned by Minister Tunji Ojo, received a substantial payment of N438.1 million from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for consultancy services.
This payment was reportedly part of the N3 billion awarded to various consultants for the National Social Register contract, intended for cash transfers and social investment programs.
Payments to Minister Tunji Ojo’s company allegedly include N279 million for list verification and an additional N159 million for the same purpose.
The YPP highlighted the company’s registration details, emphasizing that Minister Tunji Ojo and his wife, Abimbola, are listed as directors, with Gbadamasi Gbadamasi Clement serving as the company’s secretary.
The YPP contends that Minister Tunji Ojo’s actions violate the Nigerian Constitution and the Code of Conduct law, specifically pointing to Sections 5 and 6, which prohibit public officers from engaging in conflicts of interest and participating in any business other than farming.
The party concludes by underscoring that a contract of this magnitude would typically require approval from the Federal Executive Council Meeting, of which Minister Tunji Ojo is a Member, further heightening the gravity of the allegations.
