Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has revealed that her resignation from former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was not solely the result of the NYSC certificate controversy. Instead, she said it was driven by powerful forces within government who took advantage of the situation to push her out of office.
Speaking on Inside Sources, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, Adeosun explained that the issue surrounding her National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, certificate was exploited by influential individuals who were already opposed to her role in the cabinet.
Adeosun resigned from office in September 2018 after allegations surfaced that the NYSC exemption certificate she submitted during her appointment process was forged. The claims sparked widespread public attention and placed significant pressure on the Buhari administration, which had built its reputation on an anti corruption agenda.
At the time, the controversy dominated national discussions and raised serious questions about due process, eligibility for public office, and accountability among senior government officials.
According to Adeosun, the allegations went beyond administrative concerns and were deliberately used by political actors who wanted her removed from office.
“I had powerful enemies who saw an opening and decided it was time to get rid of me,” she said during the interview.
She explained that while the NYSC issue became the public justification, internal resistance within government played a major role in the speed and outcome of the situation.
Adeosun said she immediately informed President Buhari once the issue became public and made it clear that she intended to seek legal action to clear her name. However, she believed it would have been unethical to remain in office while suing the federal government.
“You cannot be suing the government and remain in government at the same time,” she said. “Stepping aside was the right thing to do.”
She stressed that her resignation was voluntary, noting that she was the only finance minister under the Buhari administration to resign on her own terms.
Recounting the day she resigned, Adeosun said she went directly to President Buhari to explain her decision.
“The day I resigned, I went straight to the president and told him I needed to leave so I could defend my name,” she recalled.
According to her, Buhari supported the move and advised that protecting one’s name, integrity, and legacy was more important than holding on to public office.
Adeosun maintained that her decision was based on principle and a commitment to ethical governance. She said pursuing a lawsuit against the government while still serving as a minister would have undermined public trust and raised serious ethical concerns.
Her comments have renewed public debate about internal power dynamics in government and how allegations against public officials are handled, particularly when political interests are involved.
The former minister’s remarks have reignited discussions about whether her resignation was purely administrative or politically motivated. They also raise broader questions about consistency, fairness, and transparency in public service.
As the debate continues, one key question remains. How much influence do internal power struggles have on who stays or leaves government, and could future administrations handle similar controversies differently
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