The Director General (DG) of the National Productivity Centre (NPC), Dr. Baffa Babba Danagundi, has dissociated himself from what he described as a conspiracy to tarnish the image of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, over the Senate’s decision to suspend the screening of Engineer Abdullahi Ramat as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had forwarded Ramat’s name to the Senate for confirmation in October, but the upper chamber has yet to conduct the screening as required by law.
A group led by Alwan Hassan had accused Senator Barau Jibrin and Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of being responsible for the delay, an allegation Danagundi dismissed as baseless.
Dr. Danagundi revealed that some individuals had approached him to join a smear campaign against Senator Barau but vowed never to be part of such a plot. He warned that he would expose those behind the conspiracy if they continued their campaign of calumny.
“I swear by God, I will mention the names of those who came to me to join in this campaign against Senator Barau if they continue to discredit him,” Danagundi declared.
He explained that although he is a member of the Gawuna-Garo political camp, Senator Barau Jibrin remains a dignified and respectable leader who should not be unjustly attacked.
“Senator Barau is not at fault in this accusation. Like other senators, he only learned of the development in the chamber as it happened. I will not be part of any conspiracy to discredit him,” he stated.
Danagundi’s remarks followed a press conference organized by Ramat’s supporters to express concerns over the delay in the confirmation process.
