Buhari’s Minister Denies Clash With Presidency

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development have said Sadiya Umar Farouq was not reprimanded by the Presidency.

Naija News reports that reports had emerged online claiming the Minister was queried by the presidency for excessive use of power and employment of staff beyond the financial capacity of the Ministry.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, the Assistant Director of Information in the ministry, Rhoda Ishaku Illiya, described the reports as false.

According to the statement, Sadiya Umar Farouq did not employ any support staff, adding that employment in the Federal Civil Service is guided by laid down rules and procedures.

“The Minister has at no point stopped payment for the Home Grown School Feeding Programme. It is pertinent to state that the Minister has approved payment for the programme up to the 31st of January 2020,” the statement said.

“The Ministry wishes to reassure the general public that all decisions taken by the Minister and Management of the Ministry are guided by extant rules and regulations.

“We appeal to media practitioners to ensure that they are guided by the ethics of their profession and always verify stories before going public with them.

“They should also place public interest above other interests in the discharge of their duties.”