Get Rid Of Corruption, Ineptitude As Promised, Group Tells Tinubu
A group under the aegis, Empowerment for Unemployed Youths Initiative (EUYI) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfil his campaign promises and rid his administration of corruption and ineptitude.
In a letter addressed to Mr President, dated 24th of April and signed by Comrade Danesi Momoh and Comrade Igwe Ude-Umanta; National Coordinator and National Secretary of EUYI respectively, the group specifically called for the removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who was alleged to be engrossed in corrupt practices and gross ineptitude.
According to them, Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, should be relieved of his duties to face his running battles with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other scandals he has perpetrated even as a Minister and member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), such as the alleged $2.1 billion Arms Deal scandal as well as the ₦70 billion case of fraud.
While commending President Tinubu for his efforts in stabilising the country and listening to the yearnings of Nigerians, the group which focuses on promoting youth empowerment through policy reforms and engagement with relevant stakeholders, however, emphasized the need for the President to fulfil his promise to stamp out corruption from his administration.
The letter partly reads: “Mr President, we will not stop commending you for steering the ship of the Nigerian State from the troubled waters where you took over and achieving measurable stability with clear assurances of the Renewed Hope Agenda you promised, which is where we are. We are grateful also that you listen to citizens and have carefully worked to meet their needs.
“Very importantly, you promised to stamp out corruption and ineptitude from your administration and have only recently, launched a performance assessment system for your administration. Nigerians are keenly watching.
“Many are worried that their desires and quest for excellence may be truncated by political exigencies. We are however hopeful that Your Excellency will be strict and firm as usual without leaving any stone unturned”.
“The litmus test of your administration’s true position on corruption will be seen in the manner and way the serial allegations of corruption and ineptitude against the Minister of State for Defence and Bello Matawallel, Hon will be handled.
“Regardless of his high political exposure and possible political capital, his lack of capacity and allegations of corruption, including his involvement in the $2.1 billion Arms Deal scandal as well as the ₦70 billion fraud case against him with the EFCC makes him unfit to remain a member of FEC.
His presence taints the reputation of your administration and questions the Renewed Hope Agenda you’re vigorously pursuing. We expect you to act swiftly and speedily too to redeem the image of your administration”, the letter added.
While anticipating Mr. President’s positive and firm action to their request and giving the assurances of their good motives, the group averred that “protests against persons like Hon. Bello Matawalle who is occupying a critical position in your administration will not stop because of the moral burden and unresolved alleged crimes against them.
“Kindly take a stand in defence of your promise and rid characters like him of your government. We stand with you and will do our best to protect the image of your administration provided people like Bello Matawalle are not associated with you.
“Let it also be on record that failure to heed our patriotic request by Mr President, we shall mobilise civil society organisations and all unemployed youths across the country to converge at the Unity Fountain, Abuja for mother-of-all protests to demand Mr Bello Matawalle’s immediate sack. “
