Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
In a significant development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended an invitation to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa to discuss the contentious issue surrounding the payment of a substantial N438 million consultancy fee to a company allegedly linked to Tunji-Ojo.
The payment was reportedly authorized by the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu.
The controversy emerged when reports surfaced, suggesting a financial transaction between the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and a company purportedly associated with Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The consultancy fee, amounting to N438 million, has raised eyebrows and fueled speculations about the propriety of the transaction.
President Tinubu’s decision to summon Minister Tunji-Ojo to the presidential villa underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation into the matter. The President, known for his commitment to transparency and accountability, is expected to address the concerns surrounding the payment and its alleged connection to the Minister of Interior.
Suspended Minister Betta Edu, who authorized the payment, is also under scrutiny, as questions arise about the rationale behind the substantial consultancy fee and the relationship between the company and Minister Tunji-Ojo. Edu, in her suspension, faces mounting pressure to provide explanations for her decision.
The Aso Rock meeting is anticipated to shed light on the details of the transaction, the contractual relationship between the company and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and the role Minister Tunji-Ojo played, if any, in facilitating the payment.
As the controversy unfolds, stakeholders, including members of the public and political analysts, eagerly await the outcome of the meeting between President Tinubu and Minister Tunji-Ojo. The incident has the potential to impact public perception of the government’s commitment to accountability and its stance on ensuring that public funds are used judiciously.