…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media. The suspension of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, by President Bola Tinubu has sparked various reactions from Nigerians.
The decision to suspend Bawa was made in order to facilitate a thorough investigation into the serious allegations of abuse of office against him.
Reactions on Twitter:
Dark Clouds Over EFCC:
@shehu_mahdi expressed concern over the suspension, stating that a significant number of members of the 9th and 10th Assembly, as well as appointees of President Buhari, are currently under investigation.
Former governors are also allegedly involved.
The user questioned how Bawa would survive in such circumstances.
Ulterior Motive:
@DanielRegha remarked that while Bawa may have been incompetent, Tinubu’s suspension of the EFCC Chairman does not necessarily indicate a genuine commitment to fighting corruption or improving Nigeria.
The user suggested there may be hidden motives behind the decision and called for the sacking of the INEC chairman.
Concerns about Freedom of the Press:
@TheMahleek humorously mentioned the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), joking that the regime may go further to suspend the NTA chairman as well.
The tweet hinted at a potential crackdown on media independence.
Accountability for Seized Assets:
@EkitiBabyGov called for the next suspension to be that of the former Attorney General of the Federation, Malami, suggesting that accountability should be demanded for seized properties and funds that have allegedly disappeared.
The user implied that the EFCC’s focus on apprehending internet fraudsters (Yahoo boys) had overshadowed its responsibilities.
Selective Targeting:
@firstladyship questioned the selective actions taken against the EFCC Chairman, highlighting the perceived immunity enjoyed by certain individuals such as Madam Palliatives and Hadi Sirika.
The user suggested that Bawa’s suspension had come too late and compared it to the controversial announcement of subsidy removal.
Alleged Political Motives:
@chris72859829 speculated that Tinubu was discreetly removing individuals from their positions to replace them with his own allies, implying political motivations behind the suspensions.
Demands for INEC Chairman’s Suspension:
@damolaade expressed a desire for the suspension and investigation of the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), paralleling the calls for accountability in other government agencies.
Tongue-in-Cheek Predictions:
@xtrakool_jay and @scopeboy10 humorously anticipated further suspensions, joking about Tinubu suspending the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for being overweight and suggesting that the INEC chairman would remain untouched.
Cleansing Process:
@_oluwaseun9 and @baddest_cash made sarcastic comments, suggesting that Tinubu’s actions were part of a comprehensive cleansing process, alluding to previous suspensions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor and now the EFCC Chairman.
The tweets hinted at a pattern of removing individuals from their positions.
Conclusion:
The suspension of the EFCC Chairman by President Bola Tinubu has elicited diverse reactions from Nigerians, particularly on social media.
While some expressed concerns about the motives behind the decision and called for accountability in other sectors, others speculated about potential political motivations.
The reactions reflect the ongoing discourse surrounding corruption and governance in Nigeria.