Civil society organisations have alleged that the removal of former National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) chairman, Barrister Jalal Arabi, was driven by vested interests threatened by his insistence on due process.
The groups, alongside grassroots politicians and State House staff, claimed that Arabi’s principled stance against interference and corruption led to his ouster.
Speaking in Abuja, activist Damian Eze said Arabi became a target because he resisted pressure to compromise the management of hajj funds, including the ₦90bn government subsidy.
“Once you are principled in today’s Nigeria, the big men at the top will not like it,” Eze told reporters, citing accounts from staff and politicians who worked with the former chairman.
He alleged that powerful figures within government, including legislators and senior officials, sought to influence contracts at the commission but were rebuffed.
According to Eze, the office of the Vice-President also showed little support for Arabi’s leadership, describing its attitude as “lukewarm.”
Arabi, a former State House permanent secretary and ex-permanent secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, has never been indicted for corruption throughout his career, his supporters noted.
“It is not the man but the system,” Eze argued.
“Some people around President Tinubu are more interested in swallowing public funds than supporting reform.”
The activist urged the president to overhaul the system before 2027, warning that sycophants were sidelining credible public servants.
He added that integrity, prudence and patriotism should take precedence over political patronage.
