AUDA-NEPAD Staff Members Demand Probe Of CEO

The staff of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) have called for a probe of the organisation’s chief executive officer, Princess Gloria Akobundu, over allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and maladministration.

These accusations were made during a two-day protest at the organisation’s headquarters in Abuja in an interview with journalists.

The convener of the protest, Aliyu Abubakar, explained that the demonstration was against maladministration, financial mismanagement, and the CEO’s refusal to allow staff to perform their official duties.

He claimed that these issues have persisted for the past eight years since Princess Akobundu assumed office.

Abubakar further alleged that consultants are being employed to perform duties meant for staff and that there are no proper materials or a conducive working environment for employees.

He stated, “The motive behind this protest is simple. It’s about maladministration, financial mismanagement, and not allowing staff to carry out their official duties and functions, which is why we are here.”

He continued, “Staff are not being allowed to perform their official duties. NEPAD Nigeria is a federal government establishment, not a private organisation. It’s wrong for staff to be prevented from doing their jobs when they are employed and paid to do so.”

“Instead, outsiders and sometimes consultants are brought in to do the work. This has been happening for the past eight years under Princess Gloria Akobundu’s leadership, despite our efforts to draw her attention to the issue.

“We have written to her, advised her, but all in vain. That is why we decided to take a stand. We are using this opportunity to send a message to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene and address what has been happening in this organisation for the past eight years.

“We want the federal government to call her to order and allow NEPAD staff to do the jobs they were employed to do,” he said.