Anti-corruption group raises alarm over blackmail Of REA MD

A non-governmental organisation, Network for Accountability for Better Nigeria, has raised the alarm over the alleged blackmail of the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engineer Ahmad Salihijo Ahmed.

The anti-corruption group said certain persons claiming to be journalists were behind the alleged blackmail of REA and its boss.

It added that if Nigerians desire accomplished professionals like Salihijo to serve them in public offices, they must rise up as a people against character assassination by blackmailers on the prowl.

The group’s executive director, Lanre Oladunjoye, recently spoke at a press briefing in Abuja.

He said: “Their claimed places of employment as journalists also don’t exist as ongoing concerns. Indeed, the leadership of the organisation they claim to represent is only a figment of their imagination. We challenge them to present the certificate of registration and annual report required of a nonprofit. We know this doesn’t exist.

“Let us reiterate at this juncture that no laws are violated by public officials whose BVN are linked before engagement in public office to accounts in corporate, nonprofits and religious organisations like those revealed by the illegal document these men are using to blackmail the agency and her leadership.

“There is no mechanism to remove BVN nor requirements to do so or close accounts after a prosperous private career and a subsequent public appointment in Nigeria today.

“In so far as such accounts are not utilised to steal, siphon, or transact public business while in office nor operated were not personal by the public official – no law is violated. We challenge these blackmailers to prove otherwise. If we want accomplished professionals to serve, we must stand up against charlatans.”

The group noted that it was not unaware of the good works of the agency under Salihijo, including attracting an additional $750 million in funding to enhance renewable energy for rural electrification just last week.

It said the funding would further boost the agency’s impact and support the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu administration, a development it said will continue to attract the envy of detractors, including those that perceive the agency as ripe for looting.

“Let us reiterate as a public accountability platform ourselves, we will monitor the use of any funds, including the new injection, for the benefit of the people regardless of who is at the saddle at REA or the Ministry of Power.

“What should not be tolerated as Nigeria goes through this critical transition period is blackmail and tarnishing the image of an agency that has done so much for Nigeria, especially the poorest in our rural areas who have borne the burden of the current economic reforms and whom the President has assured of fulfilling his promise in his inaugural speech of accessible electricity for all.

“There is no way the World Bank, in a vote of confidence, will expand an existing $350 million facility to REA under the leadership of Engineer Ahmad Salihijo by another $750 million if he was not a prudent, transparent and professional manager of resources.”