Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has stated that her resignation from the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari was prompted by the actions of what she referred to as “powerful enemies” within government.
Speaking on Inside Sources on Channels Television, Adeosun explained that the controversy surrounding her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate was taken advantage of by influential individuals who wanted her removed from office.
Adeosun resigned in 2018 after allegations emerged that the NYSC certificate she submitted as part of her official documentation was forged.
According to her, once the matter became public, she personally notified President Buhari and made it known that she intended to take legal action against the federal government to clear her name.
She said that remaining in the cabinet while pursuing a lawsuit against the government would have been inappropriate, leaving resignation as the only viable option.
“I had powerful enemies who saw an opening and decided it was time to get rid of me,” she said.
Adeosun stressed that her decision to step down was not taken lightly, noting that she was the only finance minister in the administration who resigned voluntarily.
“The day I resigned, I went straight to the president and told him I needed to leave, but I would go to court to defend my name,” she recalled.
She said Buhari supported her decision, advising her that protecting one’s name and legacy was more important than holding on to public office.
According to Adeosun, pursuing legal action against the government while still serving as a minister would have been unethical.
“You can’t be suing the government and remain in government at the same time,” she said. “Stepping aside was the right thing to do.”
