In a bold and stinging public statement, the
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately sack dozens of what it described as
“redundant” aides and ministers who are allegedly drawing massive public salaries without contributing meaningfully to governance.
This demand follows a candid revelation by former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mallam Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who recently resigned from his post, citing a lack of responsibility and meaningful work.
Speaking on Arise TV, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that he left the position because he “couldn’t justify collecting a salary for doing nothing.”
In response, HURIWA lambasted the Tinubu administration for what it termed “toxic high cost of governance,” accusing the Presidency of appointing aides and allies “who add zero value” but are paid handsomely with taxpayer money.
“As civil rights campaigners operating from Abuja, we have credible information that over 50 of the President’s aides contribute nothing of substance but continue to enjoy luxurious salaries, meals, and office privileges while millions of Nigerians languish in poverty,” said
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko.
The association cited examples from advanced democracies like the
United States, UK, and Japan—where leaders work with a lean team of advisers—as a model President Tinubu should emulate.