How Barth Nnaji lost his job as Minister of Power, NUEE connection

Mr. Barth Nnaji

Contrary to news report making the rounds, especially on social media networks, Mr. Barth Nnaji was eased out of the Federal Executive Council and the post of Minister of Power. Highly placed sources familiar with the matter said Mr. Nnaji was forced to resign Tuesday following allegations linking him with attempts to subvert the bidding process for the sale of Afam Power plant.

Aso Rock spokesperson, Reuben Abati, had released a statement this evening saying President Goodluck Jonathan had accepted the power minister’s resignation and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Reports earlier this week had linked Mr. Nnaji with direct interests in one of the firms shortlisted to bid for the 776 megawatts (MW) capacity Afam power plant, already slated for privatisation by the Federal Government.

The plant, consisting about 18 gas turbines, is considered the most  viable of the power plants slated for privatization by the Federal government, particularly with the recent approval of about N500 million for its rehabilitation.

According to Premium Times, Nigeria's leading investigative journalism news media, Mr Nnaji reportedly used his privileged position to influence the emergence of one of the firms in pole position to be selected  winner, an effort that reportedly earned him a gratification of a brand new Prado jeep and cash reward in excess of N89million. Premium Times claimed it could not reach Mr. Nnaji on Tuesday night to respond to these allegations.

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has, since the commencement of the process of privatising the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) subsidiary firms, engaged the minister in a running battle, accusing him of pursuing a hidden selfish agenda.

Prior to his appointment, Mr Nnaji was the chairman, Geometrics Power, one of the 18 private companies that were granted operational licenses by the Federal Government to undertake the generation of electricity to compliment the effort to boost the country’s available supply capacity.

It was gathered that the decision to ask Mr. Nnaji to turn in his resignation letter may have followed the confirmation by the Presidency of some of the allegations levelled against him.