By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to reinstate 11 retired deputy directors and allow them to defend allegations level against them of unproductivity and disloyalty to “the system and the government”.
The DPR had insisted that their retirement was in line with presidential approval for its reorganisation and, by law, a public official can be retired in the interest of the public.
The Nation reports that the officers were retired in March through a letter signed by DPR Director/Chief Executive Officer Auwalu Sarki.
They are M.M. Zagi, Sani Hassan, A. Buba, E. Amadasu, A.R. Shakur, U.B. Nkanga, M. A. Alaku, A.E. Antaih, Bassey Nkanga, Isah Tafida, and J.M. Ajewole.
The letter said: “This is to convey the approval of the … Minister, Petroleum Resources for your retirement from the service of DPR.
“By this, Finance and Account Division has been advised to process your retirement benefits as appropriate. The DPR expresses gratitude for service and wishes you success in your future endeavours.”
But the officers, some of whom were due for retirement in 2026 and 2029, protested, alleging unfairness and a breach of Public Service Rules.
They faulted their sudden retirement without basis and claimed that it was not in line with the nature of their employment and the rules.
Buhari sought the input of relevant units and on July 6 directed the recall of the officers, as contained in a memo he wrote to the Head of Federal Civil Service through his Chief of Staff Ibrahim Gambari.
The memo reads in part: “Kindly note that Mr. President has directed that the Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) should immediately recall the retired officers and request them to defend the allegations of being unproductive and disloyal to the ‘system and government’ levelled against them in line with DPR’s disciplinary procedures and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary measures, as provided in the NNPC Corporate Policy and Procedure Guide and Public Service Rules, be applied to them.”