By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order a full investigation into the circumstances leading to the reinstatement of former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force, Mr Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina, into the federal civil service.
The reinstatement of Mr Maina has generated controversies lately, which led to the President ordering his immediate sack.
This action has been commended by the labour union.
In a statement signed by its President, Mr Comrade Ayuba Wabba, described the manner of Mr Maina’s re-engagement and posting as Director to the Ministry of Interior was an affront to law and procedure; insult to Nigerians; and a mockery of Mr President’s fight against corruption. Indeed it is the height of arrogance and impunity.
“Except those involved in the Maina Gate, every other person in Nigeria was aware of the report of the Senate after a painstaking investigation; the refusal of Maina to avail himself to the Senate or the EFCC; his being declared wanted by the EFCC; his taking refuge in the corridors of power then (complete with a retinue of armed personnel) before his subsequent abscondment to a foreign country when power changed hands.
“Maina had all the opportunity to clear his name in court if he felt the Senate and EFCC were biased against him.
“But he did not none of this. Instead, he and his co-conspirators in the new corridors of power elected to do the unthinkable, promote and post him because they think we Nigerians have forgotten. It is sickening. It stinks to high heavens,” Mr Wabba said.
“As a follow-up action to Mr President’s directive, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress demand a full investigation of the circumstances that led to Maina’s flight and reinstatement; and prosecution on allegations of corruption.
Mr President must firmly put his foot down, else some people will rubbish all that he has ever been known for!” the labour union said.
