Amaechi Challenges Hadiza Usman’s Credibility, Unveils Additional Allegations

Rotimi Amaechi, the former Minister of Transportation, has criticized Hadiza Usman, the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA)…CONTINUE READING....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

for allegedly presenting a false narrative in her book titled “Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority.”

Amaechi made these remarks while serving as the guest speaker at the 2023 TheNiche Annual Lecture, which had the theme “Why We Stride and Slip: Leadership, Nationalism, and the Nigerian Condition.” The event took place in Lagos on Thursday.

Amaechi disclosed that former President Muhammadu Buhari suspended Hadiza Bala Usman from her role as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

following complaints from him during his tenure as Minister of Transport. This discord eventually led to her removal from office, with Mohammed Bello-Koko taking her place.

In response to the allegations made in Usman’s book, Amaechi explained his decision to address the issue, stating, “There has been a significant debate over the past six months about whether I should respond or not. I have decided to respond today, although 90 percent advised against it.”

Amaechi cited numerous falsehoods within Usman’s account, including her claim that she was not invited by the panel investigating her actions.

He pointed out that he possessed a memo from the president endorsing her removal. He also raised questions about her actions during her tenure, such as approving a contract of N2.8 billion with an approval limit of N2.5 million, as well as granting waivers to influential individuals, which he contended were beyond her authority.

Amaechi expressed concern over the potential consequences of such actions and questioned how Nigeria could progress if such behavior was tolerated.