Some concerned staff of the National Hajj Commission, NAHCON, have petitioned the Office of the Head Civil Service of the Federation, HCSF, over an alleged breach of civil service rules and presidential directives by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Oyo State, Tawfiq Akinwale.
In a petition dated April 28, the petitioners claimed that Mr Akinwale didn’t resign before contesting the 2023 governorship election in flagrant disregard for civil service rules and presidential directives.
They said that despite violating these rules and presidential directives, Mr Akinwale has continued receiving salary and enjoying other benefits.
The petitioners also accused the board of the commission of favoritism and nepotism in handling the case of the Mr Akinwale.
The petition reads,”As we are preparing to celebrate Workers Day, we as concerned staff are compelled by the situation on ground to bring to your kind attention an infringement/breach of civil service, public service, and presidential directive by a Staff of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria [NAHCON], Mr Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale, who contested the 2023 Oyo Gubernatorial Elections as the candidate of the Labour Party.
“As you are aware, there is no provision of civil or public service that permits a Federal Government employee or appointee to contest in a general election without resigning from their respective employment.
“But this is the case in the Commission as the Chairman and the Board refuse to sanction and apply the rules of civil service to Mr Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale due to nepotism and favouritism.
“His salary was not stopped, and he was part of foreign and local official trips while he was still a candidate of the party.”
The petitioners also alleged that Mr Akinwale, who was appointed to the commission with a degree certificate, presented a secondary school leaving certificate to the electoral umpire.
They urged the head of the civil service to investigate the allegations and ensure justice is served.
“When he was employed in the Commission, he was employed as a degree holder, a certificate that is in contention by those who know him very well. Evidently, he submitted only SSCE results to INEC.
“We are therefore compelled, in the interest of justice, fairness, and equity, to appeal to your good office to apply the rules of the Federal Government to the Staff,” the petition noted.
Spokesperson for NAHCON Musa Ubandawaki said the commission was not aware of the petition against the civil servant turned politician.
“We are not aware of the petition, and he [Akinwale] is in the best position to answer your question,” Mr Ubandawaki said.
Attempts by our correspondent to speak to Mr Akinwale were unsuccessful as he neither picked calls nor responded to an SMS seeking his response on the matter.
