Groups Renew Calls For ARCN Boss, Sarubutu’s Sack

Notable stakeholders and groups across the country have reiterated calls for the sack of the Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Sarubutu, calling on relevant authorities to immediately relieve him of his duties.

The stakeholders notably led by the support groups of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Integrity Caucuses among others alleged Sarubutu of usurping the powers of both the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as that of the President.

In fresh letters to President Muhammadu Buhari and the incoming President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the groups are of the opinion that the tenure of the ARCN boss has witnessed unfettered abuse of office and high handedness.

They also want Sarubutu sacked because of his roles in the sack of the Provost, Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, Jos, Dr. Joseph Okwori, without any case of misconduct against him.

He is also said to be involved in the elevation and secret appointment of Mr. Kamal Rasheed as the Executive Director, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), Ilorin against public service due process and in affront to the Presidency.

According to the groups, Sarubutu has been on be conduct just to ensure that he allegedly receives kick backs from those appointed through the backdoor.

The ARCN boss the support groups held that for Sarubutu to flout a court order restraining a scheduled interview for the Provost of VOM, Jos in 2021 granted by Justice Alkali.

Findings revealed that all the illegal acts of misconduct was done with the purported backing of the office of the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mohammed Nanono, as the power behind the acts.

The coalition of APC support groups and integrity movements are of the opinion that the array of cluelessness should not continue in the incoming administration.

They said: “Sarubutu should be sacked. It is appalling that the administration we worked tirelessly for did not reward our good spirited efforts.

“It is sad that at the end of the day, individuals with skeleton in their cupboards are the ones directing the affairs of government policies and rubbishing the agenda of our great party with their personal and selfish desires. We are very saddened.

“We want the President-Elect to intervene and do the needful. Sarubutu and his cohorts need to face the music. They need to be prosecuted and shown the way out. Enough is enough.”