President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing growing pressure to sack the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as activists revive allegations surrounding the minister’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
The pressure intensified after a civic group, the Concerned Citizens Leadership Integrity and Transparency Advocacy Initiative (CLITA), staged a protest in Abuja and accused the Interior Minister of occupying public office with disputed documentation.
Activists Demand Immediate Presidential Action
During the protest, CLITA’s convener, Davies Ijele, called on President Tinubu to act immediately to protect the integrity of his administration.
Ijele said the government must not tolerate unresolved certificate issues among top officials, warning that continued silence weakens public trust and accountability.
The protesters marched from the NYSC headquarters in Maitama to the National Assembly complex, demanding transparency and decisive action.
NYSC Defends Tunji-Ojo’s Certificate
The controversy centres on claims that irregularities surround Tunji-Ojo’s NYSC discharge certificate. However, the NYSC has consistently defended the authenticity of the document.
The scheme explained that it first mobilised Tunji-Ojo in 2006 and later remobilised him after an administrative lapse.
According to the NYSC, it issued the Interior Minister a valid discharge certificate in February 2023. The agency attributed reported discrepancies to documentation and batch-printing delays, not forgery.
SEE ALSO,
FG Releases Names and Photos of Most Wanted Persons in Nigeria (Full List)
Tinubu Removes Gov. Hope Uzodinma as APC Convention Committee Chairman, Adds Wike’s Close Ally
Political Reactions Trail Renewed Agitation
The renewed agitation has sparked sharp reactions across political and civil society circles.
Critics insist that the government should have resolved the issue before appointing Tunji-Ojo as minister.
Supporters, however, have dismissed the protest as politically motivated and aimed at distracting the Interior Minister from his reform agenda.
An APC lawmaker described the protests as unnecessary, noting that Tunji-Ojo has driven significant reforms in passport issuance and service delivery.
Tunji-Ojo’s Role in Tinubu’s Government
President Tinubu appointed Tunji-Ojo, a former House of Representatives member, as Interior Minister in 2023.
Since his appointment, the minister has pushed reforms in the Nigeria Immigration Service, cleared passport backlogs, and expanded digital application systems.
Despite these reforms, public scrutiny has continued to follow the minister, making him a frequent subject of accountability campaigns.
What This Means for Tinubu’s Administration
Political analysts say the President’s response to the controversy could shape public perception of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
They warn that delayed action or prolonged silence could damage the administration’s credibility on transparency and rule of law.
As pressure mounts, Nigerians now await a clear decision from the Presidency on the fate of the Interior Minister.
Leave a Reply