TheCable

The presidency says the heads of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) were relieved from their positions, not sacked.

A statement released on Monday by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president, media and publicity, said Alexander Okoh, BPE director-general, and Babatunde Irukera, FCCPC chief executive officer, had been dismissed.

However, on Tuesday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Tinubu, said their exit was not a dismissal.

Onanuga, in a statement on X, formerly called Twitter, said Tinubu’s directive was to relieve them as the president scouts for their successors.

“I have followed the concerns in the media on the report that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dismissed Babatunde Irukera EVC/CEO, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and Alexander Ayoola Okoh — Director-General/CEO, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE),” he wrote.

“The President’s directive did not intend a dismissal . The two men who have served our country were relieved of their duties by the President, as he scouts for their successors.

“The connotations implied in using the word dismissal were clearly not intended in the statement issued.”

Onanuga said Tinubu thanked Okoh and Irukera for their services and wished them well in their future endeavours.