Crisis Rocks NAICOM Leadership Over N5Billion Naira Property Deal

 

…….Governing Board, Commissioner on War Path as Top Management Staff Plead with Minister to Save Commission from Collapse

The leadership of the Nigeria Insurance Commission is embroiled in a crisis over an attempt by the Commissioner, Mr Olorundare Sunday Thomas to acquire a multibillion property for the commission.

Our Reporter gathered that the top management of the Commission opposed the decision which they described as curious.

A source at the commission confided in our Reporter that the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Finance and Administration Mr Oba Oluniyi and other members of the top management opposed the decision to buy the property said to be located at the Gudu District, Abuja.

The source said that the Deputy Commissioner and other senior management staff of the commission opposed the move on the ground that the approval for the acquisition of the property does not have cash backing in practical terms.

It was learnt that they opposed it on the ground that releasing a worker's huge amount of money (N5 billion) to acquire the Gudu property which they described as an abandoned uncompleted hotel carcass would be harmful to the workers welfare especially in the area of paying salaries to them.

The source said that the Deputy Commissioners, the Directors and the legal department did not buy into the project to acquire the property months into the end of the Buhari administration.

For some reason, they felt the decision to acquire the property was inimical to the interest of the commission.

Investigations revealed that the top management was not convinced on the issue of the property because the NAICOM has a beautiful office complex which meant that acquiring a new office at time of serious scarcity of funds is not a priority.

It was learnt a cabal claiming to be close to the Presidency is behind the urge to acquire the new office complex and are pushing for it with maddening urgency.

It was further gathered that the Minister of Finance whose ministry oversees the commission observed that NAICOM had a good office building/complex and wondered why the management should acquire a new building.

Our Reporter gathered that the Commissioner who is irrevocably committed to the acquisition of the property has started effecting changes in the management structure of the commission.

A Director in charge of Finance and Administration was said to have been transferred out of Abuja to Lagos to ensure that all perceived obstacles to the deals are cleared.

The source said that others opposed to the decision of the commission are panicky now as they expect more drastic steps to clear all obstacles before the realization of the project.

Our Reporter gathered that the Commissioner has also ordered a process to change the signatory to the account of commission at the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to pave the way for the smooth execution of the deal.

It was gathered that moves are being made to get the money out of the Dollar Account of NAICOM with the CBN.

However, things came to a head on Monday when the Chairman of the Governing Board, led the members to inspect the building.

Our Reporter gathered that the board discovered to the chagrin of the members that the purported building was a massive carcass.

It was learnt the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Abubakar Sani, advised against the acquisition of the building on the ground that it would require another N5 billion to complete the carcass.

“Surprisingly, the man is insisting on acquiring the building. Information reaching us is that the Commissioner boycotted the necessary protocols. He transferred the Director Finance and Administration and started mounting pressure on an Assistant Director in the Finance and Account’s Department to proceed to the Accountant General’s office to effect a change in the mandate to enable him to move out the money and this they have started doing. As I am talking to you, the process is ongoing.” The source said.

“As a matter of fact, information flying out there is that the carcass was initially in the market for N2.5 billion and now ready to be purchased at N4.0 billion of which when commission and taxes are added would be in the region of N5.0 billion.

“The Union and staff members are aggrieved and are battle ready should the purchase be carried out. This is so as some of them contacted claimed that there will be no money left in the account should the property be purchased.

“As at last week when the CFI met with the Management of the Commission, he was categorically told that the purchase should be shelved till more money comes in but it seems the advice was ignored.

“The staff were shocked that the CFI went to the Accountant General’s office to put pressure for a change of signatory having transferred out the DFA of the Commission for the same reason.”

Our Reporter gathered that concerned members are calling on the Minister of Finance to step in to save NAICOM from collapse.

Our correspondent contacted the Spokesman of the Commission, Mr Rasaq Salami, who asked him to send a text on the matter.

The message seeking clarification on the raging leadership crisis in NAICOM was sent to his WhatsApp and message boxes.

However, he asked to be given till Monday to respond to the issues raised.

Personal Interest Of Orji Uzor Supersedes That Of His Constituents, Coalition Alleges

 

The speed at which Kalu started singing praises for Tinubu against his earlier servant disposition for Lawal brings to the conclusion, that the man Orji Uzor is a man of a double standard.

This was revealed on Monday in Abuja by the Director General of Coalition of Democratic Watchdogs for Electoral Reforms, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel while addressing the media.

“Our firm belief is that the essence of representing a people is essential to speak the mind of your constituents. But nay, Orji Uzor Kalu consistently without recourse to the yearnings and aspirations of his people has demonstrated that his interest supersedes that of the people who voted him to power. Moreover, how Kalu switched loyalty, the somersault from Senator Ahmed Lawal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu brings to bare the integrity of Orji Uzor to question, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel said.

An excerpt is the full text of the press statement.

UNGUARDED UTTERANCES BY SEN ORJI UZOR KALU

As the nation prepares for the conduct of the 2023 General elections, the need for a true, fair, and equitable representation has consistently eluded Nigerians across the board. The cardinal principle of civil society organizations globally is hinged on equity, fair representation of constituents, and democratic principles. It is the quest for a true representation that has compelled our coalition to look at some of the unguarded utterances of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the Senator representing Abia North senatorial District of Abia state.
Firstly, in 2021, during the heated debate on Section 47 and 50(2) of the Electoral Act 2022 as Amended which dwells on the electronic transmission of votes in the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor was one of the Senators who said in categorical terms that Abia North had no network coverage. This was a blatant lie because Abia North has effective network coverage. It is also well known to Nigerians that Senator Orji Uzor voted against the electronic transmission of election results, an innovation introduced by INEC to reduce the rigging and manipulation of election results.
Secondly, preparatory to the primary election that produced the Presidential candidate of political parties, the chief whip of the 9th Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu on camera displayed his loyalty to the Senate President; Dr. Ahmed Lawal. This was done immediately after the APC party chairman; Adamu mentioned that Ahmed Lawal was the consensus candidate. Kalu said that he would prefer to be a servant in the Aso Rock Villa, sweeping and serving Ahmed Lawal than exist as other Nigerians outside the Villa.
For us as Igbos, we believe that such a statement from a man who is representing the good people of Abia North Senatorial district, doubling as the chief whip of the 9th Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria is derogatory and demeaning to his constituents, people of Igbo extraction and Nigerian citizens in general. Mr. Kalu has not only subjected himself to ridicule but has reduced his constituents to mere servants.
Now, Nigerians who stood up and spoke vehemently against the Christian/Christian or Muslim/Muslim ticket opined that for the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerian citizens, for equity and fairness as contained in the Federal Character, 1999 constitution as amended, it is an aberration for any political party to field two persons of the same faith as Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate respectively, as this is not consistent with fair representation and therefore could impair on national unity and peace.
However, the emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the candidate of the APC and his decision to field Kashim Shetima as a running mate against wide condemnation and public outcry against a Muslim/Muslim ticket brought in yet another utterance from Mr. Kalu. On National television, Orji Uzor was seen saying that even if his position would be against that of his Bishop as a Catholic and his people in Abia North at he prefers the Muslim/Muslim ticket for his party to win the 2023 election and his wife of Tinubu (a pastor) would become the first lady who invariably for him, is like a Deputy President. In other words, Sen. Kalu’s position is that Christians would be represented even when the office of the first lady is not recognized by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Now, Senator Kalu is from Abia North of Abia State where 100% of his constituents are Christians. Our firm belief is that the essence of representing a people is essential to speak the mind of your constituents. But nay, Orji Uzor Kalu consistently without recourse to the yearnings and aspirations of his people has demonstrated that his interest supersedes that of the people who voted him to power. Moreover, how Kalu switched loyalty, the somersault from Senator Ahmed Lawal to Bola Ahmed Tinubu brings to bare the integrity of Orji Uzor to question. The speed at which Kalu started singing praises for Tinubu against his earlier servant disposition for Lawal brings to the conclusion, that the man Orji Uzor is a man of a double standard.
Abia state farmers and residents have witnessed an alarming rate of killings in recent times perpetrated by Fulani herders. The Prelate of the Methodist Church was even kidnapped and a ransom of one hundred million Naira was paid to secure his release. The victim stated clearly that the men who kidnapped him were Fulanis.
Now, Orji Uzor Kalu has also laid claims to be the one who brought in the infamous RUGA to Abia state while holding sway as Governor of the state. This claim by Mr. Kalu is obviously to seek favour and be loved by some persons other than his constituents who are killed daily, women are raped on farms, men, women, old, young, children are killed and decapitated in farms and homes, people are kidnapped here and there in Abia state, yet Kalu does not give a bulge. He doesn’t care, so long as the situation benefits him.
Ironically, this same man, a calamity to the people of Abia – North, a disgrace to Christian Dom, a sell-out and selfish man is seeking re-election to the Nigerian Senate… God Forbid! We reject such Calamity to befall us again.
Orji Uzor, an ex-convict (reversed by the Supreme Court), a man alleged to have peculated the treasury of Abia state, bringing the state to its knees and responsible for the state’s current economic, financial, and security woes that have befallen Abia state is currently standing a re-trial of 7.1 Billion Naira theft. Whether he likes it or not; the 7.1 Billion Naira theft is still hanging around his neck.