By Comfort Olayinka
A group, under the aegies of Asiwaju Conscience Group, ACG, on Saturday, demanded that the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, should come out to clear her name over the recent online news publications over a leaked contract document.
In a recent controversy that has sparked outrage across the nation, a leaked document from the Ministry of Women Affairs has revealed what appears to be egregious overpricing in the ministry’s empowerment program.
The document, which surfaced this week, outlines the purchase of several items at shockingly inflated prices, raising serious questions about financial mismanagement and accountability.
According to the leaked document, the Honourable Minister, Kennedy-Ohanenye, approved the purchase of a cutting scissor for a staggering 180,000 naira, a pressing iron for 200,000 naira, a steaming machine for 400,000 naira, and a tape measure—referred to as a tapping machine—for an eye-watering 900,000 naira.
These prices, according to Analysts, are far exceeding the market rates for such items, thus, the calls for an immediate explanation and investigation.
Citizens and civil society organizations have reacted to this, demanding that Minister Kennedy-Ohanenye addresses these revelations.
In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Musa Mohamed and Hon. Tobi Adelaja, Chairman and Secretary, respectively, on behalf of Asiwaju Conscience Group; the group said it was not time for the Minister to sit back and keep quite, while Nigerians drag the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over her (Kennedy-Ohanenye’s) misgivings.
“The document’s contents are not only embarrassing but also indicative of gross financial impropriety within the Ministry of Women Affairs.
“The exorbitant costs listed have led to suspicions of possible corruption or gross incompetence in the management of the ministry’s funds.
“As the public demand for clarity intensifies, the pressure is mounting for Minister Kennedy-Ohanenye to break her silence and respond to the damning allegations contained in the leaked document.
“In light of these revelations, we call upon Honorable Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye to step forward and deny or confirm the facts presented.
“The integrity of her office and the trust of the Nigerian people are at stake. It is imperative that she provides a transparent explanation for the apparent gross inflation of prices in the ministry’s empowerment program. Failure to do so would not only undermine the credibility of her office but also further erode public trust in government institutions.
“The nation awaits a response from Minister Kennedy-Ohanenye, hoping for a swift and honest clarification of these troubling financial discrepancies.
“Anything short of this is an embarrassment to the ministry and the nation, which we would not take it. We would not allow any misgiving from any of the appointees to dent the long time image of the President”, the group warned.
Just on Tuesday, the Honourable Minister was caught in a deep heated argument with the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs over the whereabouts of the sum of N1.5bn contract fund.
The House is currently investigating how N1.5bn disappeared from the ministry’s coffers after the approval from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, whereas, the Contractors were not paid a penny.
