Breaking: Tinubu suspends REA MD, three EDs, appoints replacements

In the light of new findings unearthed during a comprehensive investigation into the financial activities of the Rural Electrification Agency, President Bola Tinubu has approved the indefinite suspension of the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, alongside three Executive Directors of the Agency from office.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement on Thursday.

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Ngelale said the Executive Directors also suspended from office were Olaniyi Alaba Netufo, Corporate Services; Barka Sajou, Technical Services; and Sa’adatu Balgore, Rural Electrification Fund.

He said: “Furthermore, President Tinubu has ordered a wider investigation into the conduct of the aforementioned officials in a fraudulent misexpenditure amounting to over N1.2 billion over the past two years, some of which has already been recovered by anti-graft agencies.”

Following the suspension of the team, President Tinubu appointed in acting capacity Abba Abubakar Aliyu as the Managing Director/CEO, while Ayoade Gboyega is to serve as the Executive Director, Corporate Services.

Umar Abdullahi Umar is the new Executive Director, Technical Services; Doris Uboh, Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund; and Olufemi Akinyelure as Head of Project Management Unit, Nigeria Electrification Project.

Ngelale added in the statement: “President Bola Tinubu expects all appointees in his administration to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties and reiterates his determination to elevate the yearnings of Nigerians for good governance and qualitative service delivery above the narrow interests of individuals who are entrusted to provide critical services to the Nigerian people.”