The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has been urged to arrest the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Postmaster General of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Adeyemi Adepoju, for allegedly refusing to vacate office.
This comes after President Bola Tinubu had last week Thursday, relieved Adepoju of his role and appointed Tola Odeyemi as the new CEO of NIPOST and the Post Master General of the federation.
However, NIPOST announced in a statement on its X handle on Saturday, that Adepoju has been reinstated to his role by the President, saying that he was reinstated “due to his exceptional leadership and performance”.
In a video posted on Saturday, Adepoju was seen arriving in a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) into what looks like a NIPOST premises, where he was acknowledging cheers from a jubiliating crowd.
Nonetheless, by Monday, there was mild drama as staff of the postal service protested the appointment of Adeyemi as the new NIPOST CEO. The workers said the new appointment was against their interest.
Despite the protest by the workers, Odeyemi resumed office at the NIPOST headquarters around 1:00p.m. and walked into her office to hold a meeting with top Directors.
Reacting to the development in a statement on Monday, the Coalition of Civil Society Networks asked the police to arrest Adepoju for allegedly refusing to leave office.
The Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Coordinator, Zakari Hashim, said the leadership situation has caused unnecessary chaos and instability at NIPOST.
The organisation called on the sacked NIPOST CEO to resign and stop impersonating insisting he has been reinstalled by the President, saying that his action poses a threat to the security and stability of the institution.
The statement reads: “The Coalition of Civil Society Networks is gravely concerned about the ongoing security breach, trust deficit, and unrest within the premises of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) caused by the actions of the sacked Postmaster General, Mr. Adeyemi Adepoju Sunday.
“Mr Sunday, who has been removed from his position, is refusing to resign and continues to impersonate that he has been reinstalled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. This situation is causing unnecessary chaos and instability at NIPOST.
“We have observed with deep dismay that Mr. Adepoju Sunday has allegedly mobilized a group of individuals, posing as NIPOST staff, to protest and disrupt the functioning of the organization.
“These actions not only undermine the trust and integrity of NIPOST but also pose a threat to the security and stability of the institution.
“We would like to reaffirm our unwavering support for the newly appointed CEO/Postmaster General, Mrs. Tola Odeyemi, whose appointment is a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This agenda aims to bring capable individuals to lead the nation towards economic development, growth, and prosperity.
“Mrs. Tola Odeyemi, with her wealth of experience in the technology and postal space, is well-equipped to upgrade NIPOST services to meet global standards. We have full confidence in her ability to lead NIPOST to greater heights and urge her to justify the confidence placed in her by President Tinubu.
“In light of the ongoing situation, we urgently call upon the Nigerian Police Force to investigate and take appropriate action against Mr. Adeyemi Adepoju Sunday.
“It is essential to determine the reasons for his continued presence at NIPOST and to ensure that the security and operations of the organization are not compromised.
“We believe in the rule of law and peaceful transitions of power in government agencies.
“The actions of Mr. Sunday not only undermine this principle but also threaten the stability and credibility of NIPOST. It is imperative that this situation is resolved promptly and in accordance with the law.”