Vanguard News
The nexus between Hadiza, Tinubu and Pantami
On
By Emmanuel Aziken
Penultimate Monday night’s visit by All Progressives Congress, APC leaders Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande to President Muhammadu Buhari was perhaps the most visible show of concern by elements in the ruling party to the distress in the land.
Tinubu came out of the meeting pleading with Nigerians to join hands with the government to address the many concerns about insecurity, economy, and other issues in the land.
The call from Tinubu and his visit to the president undoubtedly reflected the unease he may have felt with the happenings in the land.
Uneasy calm has settled in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) following the President’s removal of Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director for no stated reason.
The Guardian gathered that the circumstances surrounding the removal of Usman was not unconnected to the power play exhibited by some top government officials who are interested in some contracts in the NPA. Some believe that she has stepped on toes for cancelling some alleged fraudulent contracts such as the Secure Anchorage Area (SAA), among others.
Meanwhile, Garba Shehu, had in a statement said Usman was suspended following recommendation from the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Consequently, an administrative panel of inquiry would be set up to investigate the management of NPA under Usman and would start work on Monday.
Hadiza Bala Usman battles to keep NPA MD job after Buhariâs Hammer
Hadiza Bala Usman is battling to keep her job as managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, after President Muhammadu Buhari approved her suspension, senior government officials familiar with the development have said.
The suspension was approved on Tuesday by Mr Buhari but that action remained undisclosed until Thursday evening amid high-level efforts to ensure the decision is reversed.
NPAâs executive director of finance and administration, Mohammed Bello-Koko, has been named to lead the organisation in acting capacity.
âThe suspension has been approved by Mr President but it could be reversed in the days ahead because top personalities are making efforts to ensure she remains in office and the suspension is reversed,â one official, with inside knowledge of the matter,
JUST IN: Buhari reshuffles Nigeria Port Authority Management, Hadiza Bala Usman Out, Mohammed Koko in
A major shakeup Thursday evening rocked the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) with the immediate suspension of Hadiza Bala Usman as the agencyâs Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
President Muhammadu Buhari instantly approved Mohammed Koko to step into the shoes left by the daughter of the Late Dr. Bala Usman, the famous Historian and radical of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Until his new post, Koko held fort as Director of Finance in the organisation.
Aso Rock sources revealed that her suspension was approved by the President following the recommendation of Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation.
No reason was given for the suspension of Bala Usman who was reappointed for another five-year tenure in January.
A source at the Ministry of Transportation, which supervises NPA, hinted that there has been no love lost between the Minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and Usman in recent times.
The source, who is also an aide to the Minister, said Amaechi has been worried over the overbearing nature of Usman.
“Yes, the MD was suspended earlier on Thursday but the minister will give full details on Friday.
“The minister and some members of staff of the ministry are presently in Jos for a programme and he is scheduled to brief the press on the issue.