Economy
“Be more bothered about the billion missing” – Nigerians react as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf tweets about Hadiza Bala Usman’s probe
Nigerians on Twitter, react as the former president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf wrote that she is “disheartened to hear about the suspension of Nigerian Ports Authority MD @hadizabalausman“. – Hadiza Bala Usman has been suspended by the Managing Director (MD) of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Mrs Sirleaf in her tweet Saturday added that she has known Hadiza as an “accomplished leader and dedicated public servant. I urge adherence to the rule of law and fair and equal treatment as the situation evolves”.
NewsWireNGR had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the suspension of Bala Usman on the fifth of May, 2021 over allegations of failing to remit the operating surplus of NPA to the consolidated revenue fund (CFR) as well as over contracts awarded when she became director – allegations she denied.
The actions was then followed by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who, as directed by President Buhari, inaugurated an 11-member investigative panel to probe the NPA over the allegations.
Miffed by the ex-Liberian president’s tweets, some Nigerians took to the social media micro-blogging site and the thread to attack the the ex-president and remind her about Corruption while she led Liberia as its President.
One of the case-studies cited, is the case involving the son of the ex-Liberia’s President who was charged with economic sabotage in connection with the unlawful printing of local currency worth millions of dollars.
Charles Sirleaf, a deputy governor of Liberia’s Central Bank, is suspected of pocketing some of the proceeds in 2016-18. Four other ex-bank officials were also charged. Two of them are on the run.
But more social media users express displeasure – see some of the comments below.
Jeki Tala@jeki4tala Replying to @MaEllenSirleaf and @hadizabalausmanI am surprised at this tweet from a former president of Liberia, Nigerian officials who found their way in positions if authority under this administration of @MBuhari have looted n looted the treasury. It would have been better for you to keep mute and await d outcome of invtn.
@danleety Ellen Johnson Sirleaf @MaEllenSirleaf· I am disheartened to hear about the suspension of Nigerian Ports Authority MD @hadizabalausman, who I have known to be an accomplished leader and dedicated public servant. I urge adherence to the rule of law and fair and equal treatment as the situation evolves.
Hon_?láIcon@Hon_oluwatosin·Replying to @MaEllenSirleaf and @hadizabalausmanIs Liberia corruption free? If yes, you can speak as a patriotic for her Meanwhile, there’s nothing wrong in changing her, the ministry isn’t her heritage but public office Thank you for your concern.
The Psalmist™@UGOsaintcristo·Replying to @MaEllenSirleaf and @hadizabalausmanYou should be disheartened by the incessant killing of Nigerians by Boko Haram, Bandits, Kidnappers, & herdsmen, not by the sacking of a thieving MD of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The Egalitarian@twitmexy·Replying to @MaEllenSirleaf and @hadizabalausmanComing from a woman whose son diverted Liberia’s central bank notes.
nafisa nuhu@nafisa2020·Replying to @MaEllenSirleaf and @hadizabalausmanReally , u should be more bothered about the billion that are missing.
Kingsley Okoyefi Okekearu@streekingstreet·Replying to @MaEllenSirleaf and @hadizabalausmanPlease ma’am, respect Nigerians sovereignty. Nothing bad has been done to her, let our laws take it’s cause. We will not be needed this type of interference in out dealings. Besides, we have conflicts that your prayers and goodwill is needed to encourage our troupes.
brahim k Sheriff@AbrahimkSherif3·Replying to @MaEllenSirleaf and @hadizabalausmanThey are both public funds looters that’s why she’s in solidarity.
mekaTECH@Ogbo_EmekaBetter don’t let yourself get dragged into the mess. Her friends have been campaigning for Women Representation and Fairness in Corruption/Fraud, and now you’re trying to add yourself to the list.
dat_Afikpo boi@sparoswagg·Killings upon killings in Nigeria, you never said anything! Probably your source of funding has been stopped, you suddenly learnt how to twitt. Better dey your dey oh! Nonsense
But some of Hadiza Bala Usman’s supporters also spoke for her in the thread arguing that she hasn’t done anything wrong.
Obanla@AdepojuAShittu·Replying to @MaEllenSirleaf and @hadizabalausman@hadizabalausman is cool, she is unperturbed and will be vindicated.
AYM@AYMalumfashi·Cc @MBuhari@hadizabalausman is recognised internationally, as said by H.E we should adhere to the rule of law, let’s not destroy one of our best for politics or other motives.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a Liberian politician who served as the 24th President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. Sirleaf was the first elected female head of state in Africa.
Sirleaf was born in Monrovia to a Gola father and Kru-German mother. She was educated at the College of West Africa. She completed her education in the United States, where she studied at Madison Business College and Harvard University. She returned to Liberia to work in William Tolbert’s government as Deputy Minister of Finance from 1971 to 1974. Later she worked again in the West, for the World Bank in the Caribbean and Latin America. In 1979, she received a cabinet appointment as Minister of Finance, serving to 1980.
After Samuel Doe seized power that year in a coup d’état and executed Tolbert, Sirleaf fled to the United States. She worked for Citibank and then the Equator Bank. She returned to Liberia to contest a senatorial seat for Montserrado County in 1985, an election that was disputed.
