How President Tinubu Unleashed Tentacles and the Nation Trembled

In a week of thunderous reverberations, President Bola Tinubu showcased his strategic prowess, leaving no stone unturned as he meticulously purged the corridors of power. A maestro of calculated moves, he proved that in his realm, no one is above the law, and the echoes of his decisions reached far and wide.

The crescendo began with the suspension of Halima Shehu, ousted from her role as National Coordinator of NSIPA amid allegations of embezzling a jaw-dropping N44 billion. The air crackled as he summoned the EFCC to investigate, sending shockwaves through the echelons of power.

The drama did not stop there. Tinubu orchestrated a symphony of justice, demanding answers from the immediate past Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, on allegations of a staggering N37.1 billion laundered during her tenure. No corner of malfeasance remained unexplored as the president pursued accountability without fear or favor.

Enter the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu. Like a hawk spotting its prey, Tinubu honed in on a payment of N585 million from ministry funds into a private account and hit her with the suspension hammer. She was ordered to make herself available at the EFCC who, under the new dispensation, have made a habit of unraveling corruption scandals with surgical precision. As you read this, her fate hangs in the balance, a dramatic turn of events that underscored the president’s commitment to ridding the system of corruption, regardless of rank or stature.

But the crescendo reached a thunderous peak when Tinubu, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, dismantled the boards of Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank. The CBN’s statement, akin to a proclamation of divine justice, cited non-compliance, corporate governance failures, and threats to financial stability as grounds for the sweeping action. As the dust settled, the imagery was clear – Tinubu, a modern-day colossus, reshaping the financial landscape with an unwavering commitment to a robust and sound system.

The week concluded with the comparatively tame removal of Alexander Okoh, director-general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and Babatunde Irukera, his counterpart at the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Both were victims of a restructuring drive, per presidential sources. Though not tied to any corruption scandal or financial misappropriation allegations, the sudden exits of two titans of consumer protectionism still sent shockwaves throughout the polity.

As Tinubu’s roaring week leaves the nation breathless, the denizens of the corridors of power are on tenterhooks, bracing for the next seismic wave of change.