Labour, civil society organizations and opposition parties have condemned the president’s action, citing it as another example of his penchant for nepotism, favouritism, clannishness and a dent on the government’s anti-corruption war. Supporters of Yusuf and apologists of the government have on the other hand claimed that most of the allegations against him are unsubstantiated, full of alterations, mix up in dates, and based on bias.
It is curious to note that the president ordered the reinstatement of Yusuf while none of the other eight senior officers suspended along with him was recalled. Could this be because none of them is Hausa/Fulani? It is instructive to also note that one of the reasons why Yusuf was indicted by an administrative panel set up by the minister was because of nepotism in appointments into the NHIS; Yusuf allegedly recruited his kinsmen who were on grade level 10 in the state public service and imposed them on the staff of the NHIS by placing them on grade level 15 and above.
Was his reinstatement a reward for recruiting kinsmen of the president into the NHIS? Yusuf’s statement that he could not report to the minister since he was appointed by the president is another cause in point. Would that statement have been uttered if the roles were reversed – A southern Executive Secretary and a northern Minister?
The consequences of Mr President’s action are too numerous to mention. Reinstating Professor Yusuf without recourse to the minister who suspended him renders the minister impotent and is likely to promote insubordination both in the Health Ministry and in other ministries headed by southerners that have parastatals headed by the president’s kinsmen.
Another fallout is that the NHIS boss is now independent of the control of the minister and would be reporting directly to the president. The minister would also be reluctant to act on issues involving NHIS and would rather stay aloof.
- Peter Akus,
Ogun State
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