President Bola Tinubu has taken decisive action by indefinitely suspending the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Ahmad Salihijo, along with three executive directors of the agency from their positions.
This action comes as a result of “new findings unearthed during a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the Rural Electrification Agency,” as revealed in a statement from the State House signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement, titled “President Tinubu suspends Rural Electrification Agency managing director and team from office,” announced the suspension of Ahmad Salihijo, alongside Executive Director, Corporate Services, Olaniyi Netufo; Executive Director, Technical Services, Barka Sajou; and Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, Sa’adatu Balgore.
Additionally, Tinubu has ordered a broader investigation into the conduct of these officials, concerning “a fraudulent mis-expenditure amounting to over N1.2bn over the past two years, some of which has already been recovered by anti-graft agencies,” according to Ngelale.
In response, the President has appointed a new management team for the Agency, who will serve in an acting capacity with immediate effect. The newly appointed officials include: Abba Aliyu as Managing Director/CEO, Ayoade Gboyega as Executive Director, Corporate Services, Umar Umar as Executive Director, Technical Services, Doris Uboh as Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund, and Olufemi Akinyelure as Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project.
Tinubu emphasizes his expectation for all appointees in his administration to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties. He reiterates his determination to prioritize the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery over the narrow interests of individuals entrusted to provide critical services to the Nigerian people.