Amid Backlash, Tinubu Withdraws Adekambi’s Appointment, Reinstates Zabbey As HYPREP Coordinator

Following a backlash that greeted the appointment of Dr Femi Adekambi as the project coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has withdrawn the appointment.

He, instead reinstated Professor Nenibarini Zabbey who he initially removed as the coordinator.

On July 13, Tinubu removed Zabbey as HYPREP coordinator and announced the appointment of Adekanmbi, former commissioner of special duties in Ondo, as his replacement.

However, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) condemned Zabbey’s removal and threatened to seal the HYPREP office in Port Harcourt if he is not reinstated.

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The group described the appointment of a non-Ogoni person as an affront, adding that the Ogonis have individuals competent enough to lead the project.

Following the outrage, Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity made the announcement of the reinstatement in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon.

The statement reads, “President Bola Tinubu has approved the reinstatement of Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

“The President reached the decision following a performance review of the HYPREP Project Coordinator and concluded that the Project Coordinator is fit to discharge his functions in accordance with the regulations guiding the execution of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

“By the directive of the President, the reinstatement of the HYPREP Project Coordinator takes immediate effect.