Tension as N-Power Suspend 8 Beneficiaries for Demanding Permanency

At least eight beneficiaries of N-Power have been suspended from the programme after a video emerged showing them making a case for absorption of 2016 N-Power beneficiaries into mainstream civil service.

In the video obtained by CNR Nigeria, some beneficiaries from Ondo state were seen explaining the need for retention of beneficiaries in the civil service at the expiration of their time in the scheme.

But weeks after the video surfaced online, the beneficiaries received messages announcing their suspension from the programme.

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According to the message by N-Power, the beneficiaries were suspended for their involvement in the "promotion and perpetuation of a group, a society and/or activities aimed at inciting or encouraging the disturbance of peace and unlawful interference with the administration of government policy contrary to the terms of your Npower engagement".

While the suspension lasts, the beneficiaries' monthly stipends is to remain on hold and they are not allowed to carry out any duties in relation to their places of primary assignment or any other Npower related duties.

Ondo state N-Power Focal Person has also been notified of the beneficiaries' new status.

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A copy of the message N-Power sent to the affected beneficiaries and obtained by CNR Nigeria read in full:

"Dear Volunteer, following reports indicating that you are involved in the promotion and perpetuation of a group, a society and/ or activities aimed at inciting or encouraging the disturbance of peace and unlawful interference with the administration of government policy contrary to the terms of your Npower engagement, you have been suspended from the programme pending an investigation during which you are allowed representation. While you are suspended you must not carry out any duties in relation to your primary place of assignment, or indeed any other Npower related duties. Your State Focal Person has also been notified".

One of the affected beneficiaries who spoke on behalf of the suspended volunteers, Kolade Joseph, expressed dismay over the move, describing it as "gross violation of fundamental human rights, victimization, display of totalitarianism symptoms and "Masses have no rights" character".

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"It's unthinkable, unbelievable and unfortunate in a society where we hope for change from the system of disorderliness, gross violation of fundamental human rights, victimization, display of totalitarianism symptoms and "Masses have no rights" character, that Npower Team could display "No Freedom of Speech" syndrome", the obviously angered volunteer wrote.

He continued: "The Volunteers that have dare to appeal to the government for absorption of 200,000 Npower Volunteers in 2016 batch that are due to lapse in November, 2018  politely and legally without any vague expression have been suspended".

The suspension came as a surprise to volunteers as text message from Npower dropped in their phones and a check on their stipend status indicated withhold; which means they will not be paid their monthly stipend while the suspension lasts.

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CNR Nigeria checks show that the suspended beneficiaries who produced the video have among them, leaders of the N-Power Volunteers Permanency Advocacy Council - an outspoken pro-permanency N-Power group

CNR Nigeria can independently report that there is nothing in the said video suggesting "activities aimed at inciting or encouraging the disturbance of peace and unlawful interference with the administration of government policy", as N-Power claimed in the messages sent to the affected beneficiaries.