Scores of demonstrators on Friday marched from the National Assembly to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, protesting what they described as harassment of the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
The protesters — made up of human rights activists, civil society organisations, and concerned citizens — carried placards and banners condemning the actions of ministry workers, declaring that “no civil servant has the right to challenge a minister.”
Their demonstration followed a September 10 incident in which staff of the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs locked out Sulaiman-Ibrahim in protest over alleged neglect and poor welfare conditions. Hundreds of workers had blocked the ministry gates, chanting solidarity songs and calling for her removal.
Addressing journalists during Friday’s protest, Emmanuel Lawal, Director of Public Enlightenment at the Centre for Accountability and Public Engagement, described the workers’ action as “an affront to constituted authority.”
He alleged that the protest was politically motivated, saying, “We are not unaware of sinister plots both from her Nasarawa home state and at the centre, where she serves as a minister. Some persons have allowed themselves to be used to incite workers and cause embarrassment to the Nigerian government.”
Lawal highlighted Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s past record of service as Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and Minister of State for Police Affairs, insisting that her achievements were being undermined.
He further called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that attempts to “castigate and tarnish” the minister’s reputation were unacceptable.
The protest comes amid growing tensions between civil servants and political appointees, as the Tinubu administration continues to face pressure over welfare demands and accountability within government ministries and agencies.
