Daud Olatunji
Nigerians in the Diaspora have called on President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, is subjected to a transparent investigation over alleged corruption and abuse of office before being allowed to contest elective positions in 2027 and 2029.
The call followed a communiqué issued after an anti-corruption conference held on September 18, 2025, at the University of Lagos, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences in collaboration with the Pan-Africana Strategic Group (PANAFSTRAG) and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).
The group, led by Abanikanda Olumoro, a UK-based activist, warned that the APC risks electoral defeat in Ondo State and beyond if it fields candidates with unresolved corruption baggage.
According to Olumoro, unresolved allegations against Tunji-Ojo — ranging from his role as former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to the controversial Beta Edu humanitarian funds saga — must be openly investigated by independent panels of credible Nigerians.
“Failure to address these corruption allegations before 2027 will not only damage APC’s credibility but could push the party into extinction,” Olumoro stated.
He accused the Minister of manipulating recruitment processes in the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), all of which fall under his ministry.
“There are widespread complaints that recruitment and promotions in these agencies are now tied to the minister’s political interests.
For over a year, Nigerians who applied for jobs in these services have heard nothing, while rumours suggest the minister is directly controlling the process,” he alleged.
Olumoro also referenced the infamous “Honourable, off your mic” episode during Tunji-Ojo’s tenure as NDDC committee chairman in the National Assembly, saying it symbolised a culture of silence and cover-up around corruption in government.
He further alleged that Tunji-Ojo’s company, now linked to his wife, benefited from contracts worth hundreds of millions of naira from government agencies, in what he described as a clear conflict of interest.
The activist stressed that while Tunji-Ojo has the constitutional right to aspire to political office, his ambition to contest the Ondo North senatorial seat in 2027 and the governorship election in 2029 should be suspended until he clears his name through credible investigations.
“This is not about denying him his political rights. It is about protecting the integrity of our democracy. Until these allegations are addressed in a transparent manner, he should not be allowed to run,” Olumoro said.
He also urged the APC to take responsibility in screening its aspirants rather than leaving the burden to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The APC must prioritise integrity in leadership recruitment. If it continues to shield politicians from scrutiny, it risks losing the trust of Nigerians at home and abroad,” he warned.
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