The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has called on President Bola Tinubu to dismiss the embattled Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The youth group made this request during a press briefing in Enugu, emphasizing Tinubu’s commitment to reducing the cost of governance and combating corruption.
President Tinubu had suspended Edu earlier following a memo revealing her involvement in transferring N585 million to a private account. Meanwhile, Tunji-Ojo faces allegations that his company, New Planet Project, received significant consultancy fees from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
During the press briefing, the Ohanaeze Youth President highlighted the group’s support for President Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, emphasizing the need to address the challenges faced by Nigerians amid concerns of corruption within the ministries.
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.