Suspension of Emefiele, Bawa: Anti-Corruption Crusaders Commend President, Urge Tinubu To Extend Anti-Graft War To Malami, Sirika, Farouk, Others

The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC), leading a coalition of Anti-corruption crusade groups, has extended their profound commendation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for taking decisive action in suspending the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.

The groups then urged the President to include prominent figures such as the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami; the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika; the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Saadiyya Umar Farouk, and various other top officials in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration who were allegedly involved in corrupt practices.

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the NDYC on behalf of the over 107-member Coalition of Anti-corruption crusade groups, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, the Coalition noted that the “bold step showcases the President’s unwavering commitment to tackling corruption and upholding the principles of good governance.”

The groups said that they recognize that “the decision to suspend the CBN Governor and EFCC Chairman was made in the best interest of our nation and its citizens. It signifies a significant stride towards ensuring accountability, transparency, and the restoration of public trust in key institutions.

“We urge President Tinubu to ensure that the investigations into the alleged misconduct are conducted with the utmost thoroughness and impartiality. It is of paramount importance that due process is followed, and justice is served.

“This will not only set a strong precedent but also demonstrate the President’s dedication to establishing a fair and just society.

“Furthermore, we want to emphasize the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the EFCC as a whole. Corruption has deeply permeated the system, compromising its effectiveness in combating economic crimes.

“We urge President Tinubu to seize this opportunity to initiate wide-ranging reforms within the EFCC, strengthen its internal mechanisms, and equip it with the necessary resources to carry out its mandate effectively.

“In light of these recent developments, we respectfully request that the President extends the scope of investigations to include prominent figures such as the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Malami, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Sirika, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Mrs. Saadiyya Umar Farouk, and various other officials allegedly involved in corrupt practices within President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“We implore President Tinubu not to relent or be deterred in his fight against corruption. Corruption has been a major impediment to our country’s progress, hindering economic growth, exacerbating social inequality, and eroding public trust.

“By taking decisive action against corrupt practices, the President demonstrates his firm commitment to advancing Nigeria and ensuring a brighter future for all its citizens.

“Lastly, we strongly pledge our unflinching support to President Tinubu in his quest to rid our nation of corruption. We stand ready to collaborate with the government in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.

“Together, we can build a Nigeria where justice prevails, where opportunities abound, and where the rule of law reigns supreme”, the groups said.