AFTER forty days of silence on the platform, Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has finally updated her verified Twitter account, on Wednesday evening, with an account of what transpired at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
She posted a similar update on her Facebook page to announce FEC approval for two proposals: a credit facility of $150 million from the World Bank in support of polio eradication, and contracts for the procurement of Rapiscan Mobile Cargo Scanner-Eagle M60, on-site service and maintenance, officers’ training and integration of the scanners into Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II.
Nigerian Twitter users who reacted to her thread, however, had something else bothering their minds: a 32-day-old certificate forgery allegation against the minister to which she has yet to respond.
Today at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting, I presented and got approval for 2 Memos, for the following:
1.
US$150 million World Bank credit facility in support of Polio Eradication— Kemi Adeosun (@HMKemiAdeosun) August 8, 2018
In July, Premium Times published an investigative report detailing how Adeosun skipped the compulsory one-year National Youth Service Corps scheme, and explaining how she presented a forged exemption certificate to qualify her for key government positions even though she was lawfully not eligible for exemption.
“This not what I want to hear!” came the blunt response from Holatunji Junior (@Yusufskovic1), “speak on the alleged NYSC certificate forgery”.
More politely, TamunoChristine (@Crisaida) asked: “Good evening ma, what about your NYSC Certificate? What’s the 411…”
“Amazing that you have the boldness to talk here without first addressing the allegation of forgery that you are facing. Are Nigerians that inconsequential to you guys?” was another comment from Emmy (@OruhNC).
Amazing that you have the boldness to talk here without first addressing the allegation of forgery that you are facing. Are Nigerians that inconsequential to you guys?
— Nnaemeka (@OruhNC) August 8, 2018
Joshua the Great (@Joshuathegrea16) asked the minister to be kind enough to make a clearer statement on the forgery saga because “we are not interested in Polio stuff but clarification on the state of your integrity”.
“Aunty so you have found your voice now?” asked #TooBlessed (@Nelly21417) sarcastically. “Mbok how far with your NYSC certificate? Is it fake or real? Asking on behalf of all Nigerian Youth Corpers that did Endurance trek while in Camp.”
Amanda Oruh (@amandaoruh) also joined numerous others to share her opinion: “Minister your silence is a big insult to everyone, young and old, literate and illiterate, locals and internationals . You don’t assume you owe us no explanation. You are serving the nation and as such should clarify this allegation. Thank you and have a good evening.”
Aunty so you have found your voice now???
Mbok how far with your NYSC certificate? Issit fake or real?
Asking on behalf of all Nigerian Youth Corpers that did Endurance trek while in Camp. 😑😑😑
— #TooBlessed (@Nelly21417) August 9, 2018
Welcome back…. While you were away, Adekele was accused of trying to pull a "Kemi" stunt. 😫
— SiiMEONY (@siimeony) August 8, 2018
Minister your silence is a big insult to everyone, young and old, literate and illiterate, locals and internationals . You don't assume you owe us no explanation. You are serving the nation and as such should clarify this allegation. Thank you and have a good evening .
— Amanda Oruh (@amandaoruh) August 8, 2018
You're very rude MA, very disrespectful too. We the supporters of your principal,we who believe in the government that you represent have been making one simple request and for weeks too, you've refused to acknowledge us, even with a denial or a lie. You are here talking about
— Oladejobi (@AdeOnafowokan) August 8, 2018
The minister has faced a similar backlash on Facebook, where she simultaneously posted the update.
“This forger, wants credit facility for polio,” replied Dave Oshoria. “That is another borrowing na.
Hmmmm, after they will forge the papers and share the money… All these APC forgers sef! Like president like minister of finance, both are certificate forgers.”
“We want to hear about your NYSC exemption certificate. Forgery is a crime o,” reminded Umeh Chummy, while Okafor Nolly asked: “And your NYSC certificate… When would you come out to speak on this?”
Adeoeun’s posts on the social media come two days after The ICIR reported how she had stopped tweeting and updating her Facebook page following reports about how she forged an NYSC exemption certificate and how she illegally shared N10 billion with lawmakers.
Though she swiftly took to Twitter to deny the latter allegation, the minister has neither confirmed nor contradicted claims about her certificate — 33 days, and counting, after those claims were made.
The ICIR called Adeosun’s spokesperson Yinka Akintunde this morning to get an interview appointment with the Minister, but he neither answered the call nor responded to SMS sent to him at 10:22 am.
'Kunle works with The ICIR as an investigative reporter and fact-checker. You can shoot him an email via aadebajo@icirnigeria.org or, if you're feeling particularly generous, follow him on Twitter @KunleBajo.