Tinubu Sacks Babatunde Irukera as FCCPC Chief

By Adedapo Adesanya

President Bola Tinubu has sacked the chief executive of the organisation responsible for protecting consumers in the country, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr Babatunde Irukera.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ajuri Ngelale, late Monday explained that Mr Irukera, a member of Mr Tinubu’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was removed from office due to “plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the federal government towards protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers and providing a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy by key growth-enabling institutions.”

Mr Irukera, who had wanted to pick APC governorship ticket in Kwara State, was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017 as the CEO of the FCCPC when it was then known as the Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

Under his administration, there have been actions, including the sealing off the popular Lagos-based confectionery brand, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in 2018 as well as several challenges on Pay TV service, Multichoice Nigeria Limited for increases in the costs of their services.

The most recent was the slamming of a $110 million fine on British American Tobacco (BAT) in late December over market competition infractions, which has been paid.

The statement from Mr Ajuri also disclosed that President Tinubu has dismissed Mr Alexander Ayoola Okoh as the Director-General/CEO of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the agency charged with driving the federal government’s programme of privatising public enterprises, carrying out sector reforms, and liberalisation of key economic sectors.

It was announced that the two dismissed chief executives have been directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new CEOs.

“By this directive of the President, their removal from office takes immediate effect.” the statement added.