The leader of the Anti-corruption Network, Mr. Otunba Dino Melaye, has said that the body will converge at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Aviation in Abuja on Wednesday to request for the sack of the Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah .
Melaye, a former House of Representatives member, had disclosed this on Monday, affirming that they would equally demand for the refund of the controversial N255m used to purchase two armoured BMW cars for the Minister.
He said, “We are going to be mobilising Nigerians to ask for her sack and to also ask that the money be refunded to the government coffers.”
Melaye also disclosed that the ACN had taken another positive step as it had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, requesting a proper probe of the Aviation Minister.
The Director, Research and Documentation of the Network, Mr. Ebenezer Oyetakin, also told some journalists that the protest was imperative just to caution other public officers against similar occurrence.
He said, “We are going to be involved in a massive protest against the Minister of Aviation because they have taken corruption to a new level, that is so shameful and is disgracing our country in the international community.
“Definitely, the two armoured cars were over-inflated because we reached out to Germany and the United States and we got our own actual price. Come to think of it, the cars were 2003 models and they were supposed to be much cheaper.”
Oyetakin said that the said amount used in the transaction was not budgeted for, stressing that reckless spending by public office holders must be attacked now.
He added, “Secondly, the money they used to buy these products was not budgeted for. They were not appropriated for. So it is recklessness of the highest order. The whole thing did not follow due process.
“The government often complains that it does not have money to settle ASUU and if they pay them the economy will collapse. Now tell me, where is the morality to negotiate with the striking lecturers when there is so much wastage in our system? And this particular one is too callous.”
The Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah has been at the receiving end since an online news medium, SaharaReporters exposed the transaction. Nigerians at different quarters have continued to call for her sack.
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