UPDATE: How Board Members, Anti-Corruption Agencies Force NAHCON Chairman to Resign
The resignation of the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, has been attributed to a combination of pressures from within the commission and outside which impeded smooth operation since his appointment.
The Chairman has been dragged into so many issues with cabals within the system blocking his every move, and writing numerous petitions seeking to oust him.
The petitions bordered on alleged incompetence, nepotism, and shortcomings in the administration of the commission.
Despite the success of the last Hajj exercise, members of the NAHCON board had petitioned the Chairman over his leadership style and asking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove him.
Although the petitioners had pointed to the reduction of the number of pilgrims allowed to perform the hajj last year from 95,000 to 50,000 pilgrims, industry watchers said the situation was due to the sharp increase in Hajj fare which rose to over N8 million.
Attempt by the Federal Government to reduce the fare this year has not changed the situation as not many intending pilgrims could raise the mobey.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is said to be investigating the petitions.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, whose office overseas NAHCON, has reportedly been directed by Tinubu to review the petition, assess the reports, and make appropriate recommendations, including identifying a more competent replacement for Prof. Usman.
