The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, declared its support for President Bola Tinubu on his resolve to fight corruption, particularly his resolve against the menace within his cabinet.
While decrying the corruption scandal rocking the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, the foremost Yoruba group stated that an extensive investigation must be carried out to unearth the alleged financial recklessness happening within the Ministry.
In a statement issued by the National Organising Secretary of the group, Kole Omololu, Tinubu was urged to extend the investigation to other ministries as well as the companies that received inflated consultancy fees.
According to Afenifere, the country will continue to face challenges if corruption is not dealt with thoroughly.
“As an organisation deeply committed to the progress and well-being of our nation, we are ready to provide our support in the battle against corruption,” Afenifere said.
“We strongly believe that eradicating corruption is essential for creating an environment that promotes sustainable development, equal opportunities, and social justice for all Nigerians.
“Therefore, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to reaffirm his dedication, along with his
government, to the growth and advancement.
“As the President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria, President Tinubu must show the determination and resolve to address the critical issue of corruption, which has plagued our beloved country for far too long. Corruption remains a significant barrier to our nation’s development and hampers our collective aspirations.
“It is imperative that we confront this issue directly and foster a society where corruption has no room to thrive. We firmly believe that adopting a zero-tolerance approach to corruption is vital to achieving this goal.
“Given recent revelations regarding alleged corruption within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, we urge the President to initiate a thorough investigation into these allegations. It is crucial to meticulously examine every aspect of the ministry’s financial transactions to ensure transparency and accountability.
The group further stressed that, “Additionally, we call for a comprehensive investigation into the financial transactions associated with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as a forensic audit of the ministry and the companies involved in the excessively inflated consultancy’s verification fees.
“Afenifere raises concerns about the expenditure of almost 4 billion naira solely for verifying beneficiaries and questions how much money will be left to be disbursed to the verified beneficiaries from the limited resources of the country.
“We firmly believe that no one should be exempt from this investigation, as the government under President Tinubu’s leadership must set an example and demonstrate unwavering commitment to the principles of good governance.
“Furthermore, we emphasise the importance of conducting this investigation without any interference
or bias, ensuring a fair and just process.
“The Nigerian people have entrusted President Tinubu with their confidence, and it is his responsibility to uphold that trust by demonstrating a commitment to transparency and accountability.”
