The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is facing scrutiny due to his connections with the scandal surrounding the Humanitarian Ministry. His company, New Planet Project, received substantial consultancy fees from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, raising concerns and calls for his suspension.
President Bola Tinubu has already suspended the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, and all programs under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP). The fate of Tunji-Ojo, however, has sparked divided public opinions.
While some argue for his suspension, drawing parallels with Edu, others praise his contributions to reforming the international passport process and advocate for his leniency. The minister contends that he resigned from his company in 2019, following his election to the House of Representatives, aligning with the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. Critics dispute this, emphasizing his continued ownership and a potential conflict of interest.
Tunji-Ojo has faced previous scandals, including allegations during the NDDC probe, where his company was reported as a beneficiary of questionable contracts. He recused himself from the investigation due to corruption allegations. Another scandal involved scrutiny over his NYSC certificate during ministerial screening, but he was cleared by the Senate.
Despite the ongoing scandal, Tunji-Ojo’s strategy involves addressing issues over time, and his relationship with the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, may be a factor in his favor. During an interview, he reiterated his resignation in 2019, complying with the Code of Conduct rules.
Reports suggest that Tunji-Ojo failed to appear before the Code of Conduct Bureau as scheduled, requesting a new date for his appearance. The situation continues to unfold, with opinions divided on the minister’s actions and the appropriate course of action.