The embattled Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has finally thrown in the towel, resigning from the cabinet of President Mohammed Buhari.
The news media, particularly the online segment, had been abuzz all day that Mrs. Adeosun had resigned following that allegation that she forged an exemption certificate of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
Earlier reports said she handed over to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmoud Isa Dutse.
Adeosun reportedly spent hours in her office on Friday to reconcile documents and prepare handover note.
“She has been in office today since 9am. She hosted the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita today and some other visitors who came on solidarity visit,” a ministry worker was quoted as saying.
Before her resignation became known, the atmosphere was reportedly somber, even though her conduct in her last day in office did not betray the troubles of the moment.
Nonetheless, not a few were suspicious that something was amiss following her unusual absence at last Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting.
“What was strange was her absence at FEC meeting on Wednesday. She chose to remain at home and receive visitors.
“Governors of Kebbi and Zamfara states were all her residence on Wednesday. She came to office on Thursday and Friday. The governor of Kebbi returned on Thursday and spent hours in her office,” a source volunteered.
It could not be established the immediate circumstances of her resignation, although some watchers of political events in the country believe that the Presidency may have told her to resign, to save the government further embarrassment.
Adeosun, 51, resigned following pressure arising from her questionable NYSC discharge certificate. In the period following the breaking of the scandal, Adeosun had remained mute, leaving the government battling to stave off attacks from its political adversaries.
She was appointed Minister of Finance in November 2015. Before then, she served as Commissioner for Finance in Ogun State.
In November 2015, Adeosun was appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Finance by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday accepted Adeosun’s resignation letter, lending credence to speculation that she could have been told to resign.
According to a statement issued by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity, in Abuja on Friday night, the President thanked the Minister for her services to the nation and wished her well in her future pursuits.
The President also approved that the Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, should oversee the Ministry of Finance with effect from today.
Adeosun had written thus:
“Let me commence by thanking you profusely for the honour and privilege of serving under your inspirational leadership. It has been a truly rewarding experience to learn from you and to observe at close quarters your integrity and sense of duty.
I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine. This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.
Your Excellency, kindly permit me to outline some of the background to this matter. I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of thirty-four (34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport. I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.
On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine.
Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of State Services (DSS) clearance as well as to the National Assembly for screening. Be that as it may, as someone totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability, I have decided to resign with effect from Friday, 14th September, 2018.
Your Excellency, It has been an exceptional privilege to have served our nation under your leadership and to have played a role in steering our economy at a very challenging time. I am proud that Nigeria has brought discipline into its finances, has identified and is pursuing a path to long term sustainable growth that will unlock the potential in this great economy. Under your leadership, Nigeria was able to exit recession and has now started to lay the foundations for lasting growth and wealth creation. Repositioning this huge economy is not a short term task and there are no short cuts, indeed there are tough decisions still to be made but I have no doubt that your focus on infrastructural investment, revenue mobilisation and value for money in public expenditure will deliver growth, wealth and opportunity for all Nigerians.
I thank His Excellency, the Vice President and my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council for the huge pleasure and honour of working with them. I also thank most specially, the team in the ‘Finance Family’ of advisers and heads of agencies under the Ministry of Finance. Your Excellency, this group of committed Nigerians represent a range of backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. They have worked well above and beyond the call of duty to support me in the tasks assigned. The diversity in my team and their ability to work cohesively to deliver reforms, convinces me that Nigeria has the human capital required to succeed.
Your Excellency, let me conclude by commending your patience and support, during the long search for the truth in this matter. I thank you again for giving me the honour of serving under your leadership, it is a rare privilege, which I do not take for granted. As a Nigerian and committed progressive, I appreciate you for your dogged commitment to improving this nation.
Please be assured, as always, of my highest regards and best wishes
Kemi Adeosun (Mrs)