‘I had powerful enemies’ – Former Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun claims her resignation was forced

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has revealed that her departure from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was orchestrated by “powerful enemies” within the government who capitalized on a controversy surrounding her credentials.

Adeosun, who resigned in 2018 amid allegations that her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) exemption certificate was forged, made the claims during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Inside Sources.”

She explained that influential figures who wanted her removed from office seized upon the certificate issue as an opportunity to oust her.

Recounting the events, Adeosun stated that she immediately informed President Buhari about the controversy and her intention to take legal action against the federal government to clear her name.

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She concluded that remaining in her post while suing the very government she served would be untenable, making resignation her only viable choice.

“I had powerful enemies who saw an opening and decided it was time to get rid of me,” she stated.

Adeosun emphasized that her decision was a matter of principle, noting she was the only finance minister under that administration to step down 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.

According to the former minister, President Buhari supported her decision, agreeing that protecting one’s reputation was more critical than retaining a public office.

She reiterated that pursuing a lawsuit against the government while serving as a minister would have created an ethical conflict. “You can’t be suing the government and remain in government at the same time,” Adeosun said. “Stepping aside was the right thing to do.”