Group Calls For Suspension Of Okonjo-Iweala’s Appointment

On September 21 Nigeria’s immediate past minister of finance was appointed the chair-elect of the board of GAVI, the alliance founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. In the petition signed by Olanrewaju Suraju, the chairman of CSNAC, the group called for a review of Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment, Premium Times reports. The civic group explained that its call was based on the circumstances surrounding the suspicious refund of $2.2 million paid by Nigeria to GAVI. According to CSNAC, the refund that was made without consultation with the Ministry of Health exposes the gross abuse of office by the former minister. However, the group also noted that “the appointment also shows that she was being rewarded for her “loyalty” to the organisation at the detriment of her country.” “In view of the above, CSNAC is therefore by this petition, requesting that the recent appointment of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as chairperson of the Board of Directors be reviewed and suspended until all the spurious allegations against Nigeria under this audit are proven by GAVI and the circumstances surrounding the suspicious and unpatriotic refund of the $2.2m are resolved,” Suraju said.