In a shocking revelation, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) is facing internal turmoil as top officials engage in a fierce dispute over alleged financial fraud and recklessness. A leaked letter from NGF Director of Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, addressed to NGF Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, paints a grim picture of the secretariat’s operations.
Barkindo accuses the NGF of being more transactional than developmental, describing it as a “conduit pipe for a few individuals.” The director demands a forensic audit of all NGF accounts, including those opened during crisis periods, to prevent scrutiny by governors.
Highlighting that NGF accounts have not been audited for over a decade, Barkindo alleges that a few individuals have transformed the Forum into their personal fiefdom. The letter questions the lack of a qualified accountant for an institution involved in substantial financial dealings.
Specific instances, such as the N630 million deductions from the N5 billion infrastructure support fund, are cited as deliberate attempts to tarnish the image of Chairman AbdulRasaq. Barkindo claims that the secretariat failed to adequately brief the chairman, acting on instructions from an external influence to create obstacles.
Drawing attention to the Paris-London Club transaction, Barkindo reveals that NGF made close to N19 billion, with staff promised N850 million as a reward. The director emphasizes the need for a comprehensive forensic audit to expose financial irregularities during crisis periods and prevent interference from governors.
NGF now faces heightened scrutiny as Barkindo’s letter sheds light on a decade of financial mismanagement and questions the transparency of the Forum’s operations. The NGF’s reputation hangs in the balance as stakeholders await further developments on this unprecedented scandal.
