Advocacy Group Reacts to Suspension of NPA Boss by Buhari
- Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman has been accused of disrespecting President Muhammadu Buhari
- The accusation was made by a foremost civil society organisation, Centre for Public Trust
- Bala-Usman was recently suspended as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority by Buhari
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Civil society organisation, Centre for Public Trust (CPT) has accused the suspended Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman of disrespecting President Muhammadu Buhari.
The group made the claim in a statement sent to Legit.ng on Saturday, May 8 and signed by its director of publicity, Adebola Mahmud.
The CPT wondered why the head of a government agency will choose to make disparaging and disdainful remarks at the president using the media.
Source: Twitter
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Part of the statement read:
“We have seen the documentary evidence that suggests that the directives of the president were flagrantly flouted under her watch. As devotees of democracy, we consider it very rude and offensive.
“In a presidential system of government, it is within the powers of the Commander-in-Chief to hire and fire. How he does that is entirely at his discretion. Every other government official works for and is answerable to Mr. President.
“To the best of our knowledge, President Buhari can choose to audit any government agency when suspicions similar to those raised against the former NPA boss come up.
“Rather than go to the media to fault the method adopted by the president, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman should face the investigative panel to state her own side of the story.”
According to the group, several controversies have been trailing the tenure of Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman as the boss of NPA.
It said:
“For instance, the revelation that she allegedly cancelled several approvals granted by the president is quite disturbing.
“Such weighty allegations have to be investigated and if she is found guilty, should be made to face the full arm of the law.”
The group urged those appointed into the judicial panel of inquiry set up by the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to do a good job and ensure that all concerned are given a right to a fair hearing.
The CPT also suggested that a representative of civil society organisations should be appointed into the panel to ensure that objectivity and neutrality are upheld.
Legit.ng had earlier reported that Bala-Usman was asked to step aside from her role as the NPA boss via a directive from President Buhari.
Her suspension comes as Buhari approved the recommendation of the ministry of transportation to set up an administrative panel of inquiry to investigate NPA management.
Recall that three months ago, Buhari reappointed Bala-Usman for a second term of four years in office as the NPA boss.
The president also approved the reconstitution of the organisation's governing board with Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye as the chairman.
Source: Legit.ng
