ABUJA, Nigeria (CHATNEWSTV) — The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to reinstate the suspended executive secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Ahmad-Hadi, or disclose the reasons for his suspension.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by its executive director, Ishaq Akintola, MURIC criticized Wike’s decision to suspend Hadi on November 14 without explanation, describing it as lacking transparency and fairness.
“Wike has kept sealed lips five weeks down the line, and tongues are wagging,” Akintola said. “The principle of fair hearing demands that the former executive secretary knows why he was suspended and is given the chance to defend himself.”
Hadi, a former commissioner for works in Gombe State with what MURIC described as an “unblemished civil service record,” was replaced by the FCDA’s director of engineering services, Richard Yunana, as acting executive secretary.
Akintola questioned whether due process had been followed, stating, “The practice in public service is that no suspension is decided upon without an investigation going on pari passu. Nigerians also have the right to know. Dead silence after such suspension suggests traits of impunity.”
Comparing Wike’s actions to those of French monarch Louis XIV, Akintola warned against authoritarian tendencies in the FCT administration. “It is our hope that another Louis XIV is not being mentored in Abuja,” he said.
MURIC also criticized Wike’s recent decisions, including the demolition of homes on short notice and the replacement of officials with individuals from his ethnic background.
“We urge the FCT minister to reinstate Engr. Shehu Ahmad-Hadi or provide a valid explanation for his suspension,” Akintola added. “We are in a democracy and must adhere to global best practices if we want to be taken seriously in the community of civilized nations.”
The FCT minister’s office has not commented on the suspension or MURIC’s demands.
