ABUJA/Nigeria: In a plea directed at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Comrade Timi Frank, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has emphasized the importance of holding former and current officials accountable for alleged abuses of power during their tenure under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. Frank urged President Tinubu not to let these individuals escape justice, suggesting that they should face investigations and potential legal consequences for their actions.
Among the officials mentioned by Frank were former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika; former Attorney-General for the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; and the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari. Additionally, he listed former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq; former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman (now appointed Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Coordination); former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hammid Ali; Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Jamo; former Managing Directors and Sole Administrators of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); as well as former and immediate past Service Chiefs appointed by Buhari.
Frank, who also serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, asserted that the Nigerian people were well aware of the alleged opaque and corrupt practices that characterized the management of agencies under the control of these former and current government officials. He believed that President Tinubu had no alternative but to demand accountability on behalf of the citizens.
While Frank acknowledged the recent suspension and arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AbdulRasheed Bawa, as steps in the right direction, he stressed that this was merely scratching the surface. He urged President Tinubu to ensure that the anti-corruption drive did not halt with these two individuals and called for the investigation and prosecution of others who were still at large and allegedly engaged in economic sabotage. He expressed concern that some of these individuals had already infiltrated the present administration through appointments and cautioned against providing them with a soft landing.
Frank highlighted the need to bring individuals like Timipre Sylva to account for allegations of identity theft, sale of oil blocks, marginal oil fields, and refineries. He demanded that Senator Hadi Sirika disclose the current status and financial expenditure related to Air Nigeria. Furthermore, he called on Sadiya Umar Farouq to explain how funds allocated for social investment programs, particularly school feeding, were utilized.
In addition to investigating former Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police who served during the tenure of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Frank appealed to President Tinubu to exercise caution when dealing with former Governors, particularly those from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who may feign support for his administration. Frank warned against turning Tinubu’s administration into a receptacle for corrupt elements, characterizing their motives as selfish.
Frank concluded by emphasizing that Nigerians would appreciate President Tinubu if he governed effectively, but they would not hesitate to criticize him if he deviated from the path of righteousness. He underscored the ongoing presidential election petitions at the tribunal, which would determine the true outcome of the last presidential election, indicating that the public would judge Tinubu.
