Suspend Interior Minister, Tunji-Ojo within 48 hours or we will shut down Abuja - Tinubu told

The Young Progressive Party (YPP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend the interior minister, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo over his links to the scandalous contract at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

The party in a statement called on the President to suspend Tunji-Ojo within 48 hours or they'll mobilize youth across the country to shut down Abuja.

The debate over the involvement of a company by the Minister and the scandal at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has generated heated debate.

In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu Tuesday night and signed by the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Emmanuel Bishop Amakiri, the YPP cited alleged “abuse of office” as its reason for calling for the head of Tunji-Ojo, saying it would deter him from further abusing public office.

“We have gathered evidence that a company owned by Minister Tunji Ojo, New Planet Project Limited, was paid a total of N438.1 million by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under the leadership of Dr. Betta Edu, for consultancy services.

“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.

“The payments made to Minister Tunji Ojo’s company, New Planet Project Limited, include N279 million for the verification of the list and an additional N159 million for the same purpose.

“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 law clearly 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.

“Minister Tunji Ojo, who knew he had an interest in the New Planet Project Limited, had deceived the Federal Executive Council into approving the contract for him without even informing the FEC that he is a shareholder in the said company; this is deceitful, mischievous and obtaining by false pretence”, the letter reads in part.