NpopC crisis: Staff threatens showdown over resumption of DG

IN the wake of the ongoing crisis in the National Population Commission NpopC, Staff in the commission across the country has to threaten a showdown should the re-appointed Director General, Dr Ghaji Bello resumes office on Monday.

The DG had been accused of gross misconduct, massive corruption, impunity among others,  during his first four years.

In a communique issued in Abuja at the weekend and jointly signed by representatives from Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU), Comrade Agaba Rita, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services (AUPCCSTRS), Aminu Abashiya, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria Ibrahim Saleh, Nigerian Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial Data Processing and Allied Workers (NUPSRSDPAW)  Ogunyemi Funke, they noted that although the Minister of Labour and employment, Stephen Ocheni had waded into the crisis, his directive on his resumption will not be honoured.

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The Minister had directed that the DG be allowed to resume tomorrow

However, the Congress stated that the directive was not consistent with the principles and policy thrust of the present administration on anti-corruption and whistleblowing, considering the allegation of financial impropriety levelled against the DG.

“Congress notes that democracy is all about the rule of law and following precedence that has already been set with the reversal of the DG of NAFDAC, NHIS and lately the secretary to the Government of the Federation, Congress resolved that the reappointment of Dr.Ghaji Bello  but equally, unequivocally, rejected his imposition of NpopC,” the communique reads.

To this end, it demanded the appointment of a core professional as DG rather than the present situation saying; “Dr.Ghaji Bello lacks professional and administrative competence as required by NPC Acts to run the affairs of the commission. This became manifest in his performance in the last four years.”

Also, it vowed to embark on further protest to drive home their demands adding that offices of the commission across the country will be shut down from Monday, 29th January 2018 until the issue is finally resolved.