President Bola Tinubu says his administration will spare no one found culpable in the ongoing investigation into the alleged fraud within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as its Social Investments Programmes.
Speaking on a national television show, Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser on media and publicity, conveyed the President’s instructions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), adding that Tinubu has emphasized the need for thorough investigation to ensure that no individual implicated in the scandal in exempt from scrutiny.
Ngelale further underscored the president’s commitment to upholding integrity within the administration, and affirmed that there would be no tolerance for indiscipline, corruption, dereliction of duty, or incompetence, saying that President Tinubu has made it clear that if anyone is found wanting, swift action will be taken, regardless of their status or position.
Recalling the prompt suspension of Betta Edu on January 8, as well as the further directive to the EFCC to conduct a comprehensive investigation into financial transactions, followed by the setting up of a ministerial panel led by the coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, he reiterated that these was established by the President to ensure that a thorough diagnostic on the financial architecture of social investment programmes, was conducted.
To ensure a comprehensive reform of the National Social Investment Programmes Agency (NSIPA), and relevant institutions, he noted that President Tinubu also approved the establishment of a Special Presidential Panel (SPP), equally to be led by Mr. Wale Edun, and tasked with a multi-disciplinary approach to reform effort, including matters representing strategic sectors.
Amid speculations regarding a possible cabinet reshuffling, Ngelale clarified that such decisions would be contingent on the conclusive finding of the ongoing investigations, and emphasized that the president would first await the outcomes before making any decisions relating to reordering so that it would be a well and rightly informed measured response.
He said: “The President, through these actions, demonstrates a commitment to transparent governance, accountability and the eradication of corruption within the administration as the ongoing investigation aims to unravel the truth, and appropriate actions will be taken to address breaches and infractions identified.”
He then stressed that as the investigation progresses, President Tinubu reiterates that no individual implicated in the scandal will be shielded from accountability, emphasizing the need for a thorough and unbiased inquiry.
