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Will Tinubu’s Best Performing Minister, Tunji-Ojo, Bite the Bullet?

By Eric Elezuo
This is not the best of times for another of President Bola Tinubu’s ministers, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as divergent opinions fill the media space over his alleged involvement in the financial saga surrounding Mrs Betta Edu and the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation ministry.
Tunji-Ojo has been reputed in various quarters as one of the best hands so far in the Tinubu administration, and his performance so far has outweighed his initial status, and lent credence to youth involvement in governance. To many, he is the starboy of the government, and to a few others, he should bite the bullet or dance the same music Edu is dancing presently.
The now embattled Minister for Interior, has been under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for his alleged link in a N438 million scandal with the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Tunji-Ojo has, however, refuted claims suggesting his involvement as a signatory in the company implicated in the N438 million contract allegations linked to the now suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, saying he resigned from the company in 2019.
A leaked memo circulating online indicated that a company, allegedly owned by Tunji-Ojo, received N438 million designated as ‘consultancy fees’ from Edu.
“I am not a signatory to the company.
“And actually, I was shocked because the company in question was a company where I was a director. About five years ago, I had resigned from my directorship,” the Minister defended.
Until his appointment as Minister of the Interior, alongside 41 others, Tunji-Ojo represented Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House.
So far, Tunji-Ojo has been termed the ‘starboy’ of the Tinubu-led administration, following various achievements his office had made within six months of appointment. Some of which include: clearing a heavy backlog of passports and implementing a new platform that would allow a renewing of one’s passport from the convenience of one’s home, amongst others.
As the Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo oversees the affairs of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prisons Service, and the Federal Fire Service.
He is also responsible for ensuring the security and welfare of Nigerians, as well as promoting the harmonious coexistence of the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country.
This recent alleged affiliation with the N438 million scandal has in a way tainted his good record of performance that even won him some awards in 2023.
However, most media platforms have gone down memory lane to relive the event to brought the minister to national limelight. He was the former chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Niger Delta Development Commission of the ‘off your mic’ fame, that clashed with the then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds in the commission.
During the televised probe, Akpabio had accused Tunji-Ojo and other members of the National Assembly of benefiting from contracts awarded by the NDDC, a claim that Tunji-Ojo denied and challenged Akpabio to provide evidence.
The probe also witnessed a dramatic scene when Akpabio was asked to “off his mic” by Tunji-Ojo while he was making some revelations and accusing members of the National Assembly of being beneficiaries of the NDDC fund.
Tunji-Ojo later stepped down as the chairman of the committee, citing the need to protect his integrity and that of the House.
The minister was last week summoned by the president, ostensibly to ascertain yhe veracity or otherwise of his claim of innocence.
Tunji-Ojo, who is a lawyer and a businessman, was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2015. He was also the chairman of the House Committee on NEDC/North East Development Commission.
A flashback detailed noted that the payments was said to have been made to the company founded by the Minister include, N279 million Naira for the verification of beneficiaries on the national social register and an additional N159 million Naira for the same purpose.
The company, which was registered on March 3rd 2009, still has the Minister and his wife, Abimbola, listed on the CAC website as directors.
Again, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, back in 2020, named the Interior minister who was at the time a lawmaker and chairman of the house committee for the NDDC as one of the many National Assembly members who benefitted from numerous NDDC contracts. The minister denied the allegation.
A defence of the minister’s capability and non-involvement in the alleged financial infractions is summarised in the statement of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, who described the recent strident media campaign calling for the sack of Tunji-Ojo, as “smacks of unpatriotism and insensitivity for Nigerians who have had nightmares attempting to access basic services in their fatherland”.
In a press statement signed by Ajagun Opeyemi, the Coalition observed that the plot against Tunji-Ojo is being sponsored by some cabals to discredit Tinubu’s administration.
The Coalition noted as follows:
“The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has observed with keen interest the needless sensationalism, unjustified vilification and mass cyber-bullying of the performing Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in recent times over an allegation of corruption which is currently being investigated by the relevant agencies of government.
“From our observation and surface preliminary investigation as a coalition saddled with the responsibility of being the conscience of the public, we discovered with concern, a desperate desire and manipulative orchestration by vested interests to hang the dog, hence it has been branded a bad name. Simply put, Dr. Tunji-Ojo has become a victim of bruised egos who have been cut off from feeding fat in a corrupt system as a result of the giant reforms he has brought to bear in the Ministry of Interior since his assumption of office.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, as a civil society organisation, we are not oblivious of the fact that while many of us pray for the status quo to change in the overall interest of our country, others are working day and night to ensure that the misery of Nigerians does not go away. The contactless passport application and even home delivery being championed by the minister has come with a heavy price against his image, a result of which we are seeing today.
“Tunji-Ojo at the risk of sounding inmodest is the star boy of this administration by the virtue of the record he has has set so far among every member of the cabinet. He has demonstrated an iron-cast capacity that he came prepared for the job and ready to leave a lasting footprint. We are not surprised at the pull-him-down syndrome playing out at the moment. His resignation from the company in question before contesting for House of Representatives is in total compliance with the Federal Civil Service rule of the Federation.
“We must commend President Bola Tinubu for not bowing to the emotions being vaunted out on the media spaces with the intention to stampede him into taking hasty actions and get the very performing Minister of Interior off track. As a leader with a discerning sense of judgment, he has held a closed-door session with the minister which we believe is in connection with this allegation. Additionally, he has ordered the EFCC to carry out a thorough investigation. Instead of the mob seeking to feast on the flesh of the minister to wait patiently, they are busy calling for his suspension, a demand that has no basis in law but just a strategy to bring down the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by labelling his Ministers as corrupt.
“We must also put it on record that it is neither the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu nor the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo that is the prime target. Our source, which we do not wish to disclose here has informed us that insatiable power mongers are stoking these baseless confusions to discredit the government of President Bola Tinubu just for their selfish political interests. They are people who have been serially rejected by Nigerians yesterday, today, and in the future.
“The call for the suspension of the Interior Minister smacks of unpatriotism and insensitivity for Nigerians who have had nightmares attempting to access basic services in their fatherland, including the international passport.
“We are all witnesses to the far-reaching innovations the Minister has brought to bear in the ministry since assumption of office. For the first time in recent history of our country, we saw a minister who mobilized his friends and associates to raise funds, amounting to hundreds of millions of Naira to offset the fines of prison inmates, give them freedom, and decongest the prisons.
“Under his leadership, the Ministry has cleared a heavy backlog of passports and implemented a new platform that would allow Nigerians renew their passports from the convenience of their homes. In the coming weeks, Nigerians will start receiving their passports at their doorsteps. Who would have believed that this would be possible in this country?
“It is therefore our appeal that the President does not succumb to this orchestrated plot to blackmail his government and project it as a corrupt one. He has demonstrated readiness to allow the Rule of Law take its due course and we have no doubt Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo will be exonerated as he continues in his excellent service delivery for our people.
“On behalf of the over seventy Civil Society Organisations in the coalition, we wish to exonerate the Hon Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo of all allegations leveled against him and therefore request Mr President to disregard the calls for his removal.”
As President Tinubu has noted that there would no sacred cows, it is imperative that a wholistic investigation be carried out, and whoever is culpable should bite the bullet.
Featured
Afenifere Leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo Dies at 96

Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the Afenifere leader, is dead.
He died on Friday morning at his Lekki residence in Lagos, according to a family statement. He was aged 96.
It reads: “With a heart full of gratitude for a selfless life spent in the service of God, the nation and humanity, we announce the passing on of our beloved patriarch, Chief Samuel Ayodele Adebanjo.
“He died peacefully this morning, Friday, February 14, 2025 at his Lekki, Lagos Nigeria home at the age of 96.
“The foremost nationalist, elder statesman, distinguished lawyer, very distinct politician, apostle of true federalism, former organising secretary of Action Group and the national leader of Afenifere is survived by his 94 year-old wife, Chief Christy Ayo-Adebanjo, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“We will forever cherish his commitment to fighting for truth, equity and justice. His belief and struggle for a truly independent and progressive Nigeria was total and this he fought for until he breathed his last breath.
“The family is consulting with Papa’s friends, associates, numerous interest groups across the length and breadth of Nigeria and beyond, to fine tune plans for a befitting funeral details which will be communicated in due course.
“A condolence register is open at his residence in Lagos (8, Ayo Adebanjo Close, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos) and his country home in Isanya Ogbo, near Ijebu Ode Ogun State.”
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70th Birthday: Davido Gifts Timi of Ede Brand New Luxurious GAC Car

Renowned musician and pop star, David Adeleke, also known as Davido, has presented a brand-new GAC GS8 4WD car to HRM Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, the Timi of Ede, in celebration of his 70th birthday.
The luxurious vehicle was presented at an eleborate ceremony by the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, on behalf of Davido.
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Meet Nigeria Customs National Public Relations Officer, ACC Abdullahi Maiwada

They come as ready as they are prepared. They are the efficiency of paramilitary and security endeavours. They secure border integrity. They are the Nigeria Customs Service, and one man is at the forefront of projecting their hard earned glorious image. He is Assistant Comptroller of Police Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada.
In December 2024, Maiwada, who is the National Spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was elevated to office Assistant Comptroller of Customs. His promotion was a consequence of efficiency, doggedness, hard work and ability to exhibit all the qualities of one with an eye to details.
Maiwada was among many officers who benefitted from the recent promotion by the Customs board.
His trajectory in the Service and beyond, is captured as follows:
A prolific image manager, AC Maiwada was born on January 12, 1987 in Katsina State.
He attended his primary and secondary school education in Bayero University Kano.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education/Geography and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from Bayero University Kano.
He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in mass communication from Crescent University Abeokuta. He is currently a Doctorate Researcher specialising in Internal Communication at the University of Abuja.
AC Maiwada was enlisted into the Nigeria Customs Service as Cadet ASC II in 2011. He had a long stint as the Zonal Public Relations Officer Zone ‘B’ Headquarters, Public Relations Officer Ogun Command (now Ogun I & II Area Commands).
AC Maiwada was deployed to Headquarters in 2020 as the pioneer Liaison Officer of Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network and later deputised the immediate past National Public Relations Officer from January 2022 to February 2023. He was appointed substantive spokesperson of NCS in April 2023, a position he holds to date.
To fully embrace the service of Public Relations and its dynamics, AC Abdullahi Maiwada is a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a member of the African Public Relations Association (APRA).
He also holds full membership with the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), and the Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).
He has attended numerous courses relating to Customs Operations, Trade Facilitation, Public Relations, Strategic Communication, and Leadership.
As a consummate and seasoned Officer, he is a recipient of the 2020 World Customs Organisation (WCO) meritorious award. He recently bagged the Best Spokesperson of the Year award organised by Image Merchant Limited.
Under his watch, the Public Relations Unit recently received the WCO Meritorious Award during the 2024 International Customs Day Celebration (ICD). He also received the 2024 Best Spokesperson Award from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
He has several published conceptual and empirical papers relating to Public Relations in Customs and other areas in the field of communication.
He is happily married with three kids.
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