President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate suspension of Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, the Managing Director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), along with three Executive Directors of the agency.
The suspension comes amid allegations of fraudulent activities involving the misappropriation of over N1.2 billion in the last two years.
The three Executive Directors who have been suspended are Olaniyi Alaba Netufo (Executive Director, Corporate Services), Barka Sajou (Executive Director, Technical Services), and Sa’adatu Balgore (Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund – REF).
President Tinubu has directed a thorough investigation into the actions of these top government officials.
Recall that while speaking at the inauguration of the Red Line Rail Project in Lagos, Tinubu vowed that his administration would intensify its fight against corruption in the country.
Tinubu expressed his appreciation to the people for believing in his government and assured them that he would not let them down.
He further stated that his administration would fight corruption to ruin, adding that smugglers would be stopped and the money saved for the development of education, healthcare, transportation, and other sectors of the economy.
“We said we can do it, you believed in us. We said the people’s lives will end up being better, you believed in us. I could hear a lot of voices right now, I asked for this job, I cannot complain, it’s all about democracy.
“I agree smugglers will fight back, corruption will fight back. We will fight them to ruin. Corruption will go away, save the money for you to educate our children, to pay for the healthcare system of our people, to pay for the modern transportation system that works for the highest number of people, not those few smugglers.
“What is our problem? If it’s corruption, we must exterminate it. No matter how hard it’s fighting back, we must say no to corruption. We must adhere to our pledge of patriotism, perseverance, consistency, and staying focused,” he said.