I think that since he was suspended last year for a probe to take place, sufficient investigations must have been carried out to get to the root of that issue. His reinstatement is probably pointing to the fact that he is not guilty of any act of corruption. That may be the reason for the decision carried out by the government. I may not say right away that this has conveyed the right signal with regards to the anti-corruption war. I would say that it is possible that due process was followed and that maybe he was vindicated.
I believe government will explain the reason for its action in due course; it is still not too late for that. Now that several Nigerians are reacting, I think the government will explain its action.
It is necessary for the government to explain to Nigerians what happened so that Nigerians will have a full understanding about the issues involved and what justification government has to reinstate the DG. This will go a long way to reassure Nigerians of the commitment of the current administration to fighting corruption. It will also assure Nigerians that this government does not sweep allegations of corruption under the carpet. I think the government needs to explain some of these things and not take things for granted. We need to enlighten people and we need to be patient to allow the Federal Government explain to Nigerians why some of these and other similar decisions were taken. I believe the right thing will be done at the right time I urge people to be patient.
The government must not do anything that will make Nigerians lose confidence in its commitment to the fight against corruption. I think the government is taking note of the public reaction to this latest development and I believe the government will want to take any action that will make people think they are not serious with the anti-corruption war. Advisers to president are listening and I believe they will take reactions from some quarters. •Mr. Kola Shittu (A former member of the House of Representatives from Kwara State)
This is what we have been talking about in the PDP. Now, we have a minster suspending someone for alleged corruption, but the person was reinstated even when the investigation is still ongoing. It is obvious that they (Presidency) are paying lip service to anti-corruption and we condemn it in its entirety. It is the same way they are handling the Abdulrasheed Maina case. Maina and the NHIS DG are from the same region of this country. They belong to the category of people whose alleged corruption cases are treated with “deodorants”.
I do not think that the world sees President Buhari as an anti-corruption crusader. He was perceived to be an anti-corruption crusader. But now that he is in power, he has shown his true colours. He used the anti-corruption toga to gain power. In saner climes, when a person is suspended, investigation is allowed to be carried out without interference from any quarter until a final decision is arrived at. The reinstatement is very embarrassing but we are not surprised. •Chris Nehikhare (Edo State Publicity Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party)
This matter regarding the National Health Insurance Scheme Director General has been on for the past six months. The Presidency did not act on it, if it is true that the DG was still being interrogated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission at the time he was reinstated, it would be most unfortunate. I think it is not proper for the Presidency to override the EFCC when the body is yet to conclude its investigation into the allegations of financial crimes against the DG. Reinstating the man at this point tends to undermine the work of the EFCC and it will certainly send the wrong signals. Having said that, it is also unfortunate that each time a person is accused of corruption; people don’t go beyond the headline to investigate or follow the case to the point where a final outcome is established. In this case, for the Presidency to reinstate the DG, it is possible that it may have carried out its internal investigations and be carrying out the recommendation of the panel set up to investigate. Under the rules of the civil service, it is the President that has the powers to hire and fire people at this level and if he is satisfied with the outcome of investigations and the quality of legal counsel available to him, he may act in the manner he has acted in line with laid down rules and regulations. •Auwual Rafsanjani (Executive Director, Civil Societies Legislative and Advocacy Centre)
I was not expecting such conclusion to an ongoing investigation. What I expected was that the NHIS boss would have his day in court. The hurried reinstatement without recourse to the investigations being carried out by the EFCC or the Ministry of Health raises a lot of questions.
Something untoward is happening, something is fishy and this is an embarrassment to the Federal Government. We are not saying that anyone being investigated is necessarily guilty. However, things have to go through the necessary process that will clear an indicted public official before he/ she can be reinstated.
We are still expecting further explanation and information from the presidency which ordered the reinstatement. Otherwise, this would look like the Abdulrasheed Maina’s issue that became an embarrassment to the government. We only hope that the Presidency will do the needful – either they explain why the gentleman deserved the reinstatement. Has the investigation been concluded? Was he indicted or vindicated? These are the explanations we are waiting for. Until they come out with such explanations on the NHIS boss, we are looking at the Federal Government with suspicion that unholy compromises have been made. •Debo Adeniran (Director, Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership)
I think President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s fight against corruption is an illusion. This is an administration that has been accusing other regimes of looting the treasury, but it has not been able to impartially curb corruption, improve the economy or protect the lives of the citizens. You can see the hypocrisy of the government. For Buhari to have reinstated the embattled NHIS executive secretary is proof that the government is not serious about the fight against corruption. He has come to legitimise corruption in Nigeria; this is what his government is doing. We can see the terrible things officials of this administration are doing. My advice to Nigerians is to go out and get their Permanent Voter Cards and ensure that they exercise their power to vote and change the government in 2019. •Olasheni Shalom (Executive Director, United Global Resolve for Peace)
I am not in the least surprised about the turn of events at the National Health Insurance Scheme. From the very start, he was an appointee of those who have been running the Presidency from the very beginning. People like: Mamman Daura, Abba Kyari, Babagana Kingibe and the rest of them. These men have been known to play god in matters regarding nepotistic appointments and the abuse of the federal character principle. The question to ask is: ‘Is President Buhari afraid of dealing with the cabal who have obviously held him hostage or is he afraid of dealing with them because he is in on the various schemes they have engaged in? Perhaps, they know too much about his own involvement and dealing with them may expose him. This NHIS scandal is a shame and will seriously erode whatever gains that have been made in the anti-corruption fight. •Dr Junaid Mohammed (A former federal lawmaker)
- Compiled by: Success Nwogu, Adelani Adepegba, Alexander Okere, Olaleye Aluko
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