Civil Integrity Initiative has submitted petition to the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, alleging gross misconduct by the Director of Administration, Mr Babagana Bukar.
The petition, dated January 13, 2025, signed by Musa Kumo, accuses Bukar of orchestrating the reinstatement and posting of Usman Ardo Kumo to NAHCON, despite Kumo’s previous resignation from the Federal Civil Service to pursue political ambitions.
“This is a clear case of abuse of office and violation of the Public Service Rules,” said a source familiar with the petition. “Mr Bukar’s actions undermine the integrity of the civil service and the trust of the Nigerian people,” the petition partly read.
The petition alleges that Kumo resigned from the Federal Civil Service on two separate occasions to engage in partisan politics, first under the All-Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2019 and later under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.
“Mr. Kumo’s actions are a clear breach of the Public Service Rules, which prohibit serving civil servants from active political engagement,” said the source. “Mr. Bukar’s failure to act on this information and his subsequent facilitation of Mr Kumo’s reinstatement are a gross dereliction of duty.”
The petition demanded a comprehensive investigation into the matter, disciplinary action against Bukar, and an immediate review of Mr Kumo’s employment status.
“We will not stand idly by while individuals abuse their positions of power for personal gain,” said the source. We demand accountability and transparency from NAHCON and its officials,” the letter added.
While requesting NAHCON to address these issues and commence the stipulated investigations, the group gave seven days timeframe, saying “within seven days of receiving this petition, and make the outcomes public. Failure to do so will leave us no alternative but to pursue all available legal remedies.
“We stand prepared to initiate litigation to hold each complicit party accountable, protect the public interest, and ensure that no one in NAHCON or any federal agency can arbitrarily circumvent established guidelines for personal or political gain.
Your prompt response or lack thereof will send an unmistakable message about whether NAHCON upholds—or undermines the transparency, integrity, and accountability that form the bedrock of our nation’s civil service,” the letter concluded.
