Audu Ogbeh: Nigeria’s Agric Minister

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has called on those agitating over the reversal of the appointment of Dr. Osasuyi Aisuehi as the executive director (ED) of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Benin City, to desist from actions that could backfire against them. This is contained in a press statement, signed by Dr Kayode Oyeleye, his spokesperson.

On the publication in the Daily Independent and Guardian newspapers of Thursday, December 14, 2017, calling for the Minister’s probe on the NIFOR leadership crisis, Chief Ogbeh wondered what legal ground a man who has clocked his legitimate retirement age of 65 years has in seeking to hold on to an appointment beyond his retirement age.

The statement has it further: “Moreover, the putative executive director, on December 4, 2017, during a public hearing at the national assembly, openly threatened arson, specifically hinting about burning down NIFOR in case he is not allowed to continue as the executive director. The House Committee on Colleges of Agriculture, during the public hearing, cautioned him to quit since he was appointed in error.

“Rather than heeding the voice of reason and treading the path of honour, he carries on stirring up trouble. His resort to blackmail through proxies will neither work in his favour, nor will it deter the Minister from doing what is legally and morally right as the appropriate action will prevail ultimately. Those who decide to follow this retired executive director in his misleading and imprudent adventure are advised to desist from further doing so.”