NCP Faults Recall Of NHIS Boss, Demands His Immediate Prosecution

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Following the recall of the suspended Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Prof. Usman Yussuf, the National Conscience Party (NCP) has condemned in totality the act, describing it as a betrayal of trust.

Comrade Waheed Lawal, Vice Chairman, National Conscience Party (NCP)

The NCP in a statement signed by its Vice Chairman, Alhaji Waheed Lawal and made available to journalists in Osogbo on Friday stated that the recall of Prof Yusuf was unconstitutional.

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday February 7  recalled Prof Usman Yusuf , who was suspended by the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole.

Yusuf is being probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission , as he was accused of misappropriating N 919 m.

Reacting, Alhaji Lawal expressed displeasure over the action of the president saying it had lowered the confidence Nigerians have reposed in the leadership of President  Buhari’s administration.

He argued that how on earth will a man who can’t account for the expenditure of N919m NHIS fund be recalled back to duty,  asking “is it because he’s a kinsman to the president?

According to the statement: “We, in the NCP see the recall of Prof. Usman Yussuf as a betrayal of trust and the confidence Nigerians reposed in the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said this singular act has halted every progress his administration is making to curtail the act of corruption among public officers.

“We are perturbed by this development and it has become imperative for the president to address the nation on his stance, as it is becoming clearer that nepotism and favouritism of ethnic colouration is a determinant to most of his policies, as the recall of AbdulRasheed Maina remains unresolved till date”.

“It is on record that one Mr. Femi Akingbade, the former acting Executive Secretary of NHIS was summarily removed from office on mere allegations contained in petitions submitted against him,  with the baggage of revelations emerging from the administrative panel of enquiry of how Yussuf diverted funds through phony contracts, illegal trainings and spending of unbudgeted allocation on cronies and friends”.

“It was only during his short stay that the association of HMOs threatened to disengage from NHIS owing to maladministration and policy somersaults.

“However, if the president was actually dissatisfied with the ministry of Health panel, he should have instituted a fresh panel to uncover the allegations levelled against Yussuf”, he added.

He, however, called on the president to immediately reverse his decision and give the anti corruption agency a marching order to conclude their investigation so that the nation can be on the part of justice again.