[dropcap]K[/dropcap]ey figures in the Buhari administration have become embroiled in a fresh war of words with each other.
The Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole early this week ordered Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf to proceed on three months suspension to pave way for an investigation following petitions written against him.
In a show of defiance Prof. Usman Yusuf rejected the directive by the Minister of Health to go on three months suspension, saying only President Buhari can remove him.
In a letter dated July 12, 2017 Usman gave reason for his inability to comply with the directive.
According to him, under the Act setting up the scheme, the appointment and removal of the executive secretary is at the instance of the President.
“Except removed from office by the President under the circumstances specified in the NHIS Act, my appointment is for a period of five years.
Meanwhile the ministry of health on Friday insisted that the suspension of Yusuf stands “The NHIS is an agency supervised by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Administrative Panel of Inquiry raised by the Ministry to investigate activities of the agency has commenced its assignment with specific terms of reference,” the spokesperson said.
Mr. Yusuf, being a public officer, is bound by the regulations governing the Public Service, said the ministry.
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