Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has said her resignation from the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari was triggered by the actions of what she described as “powerful enemies” within government.
Speaking on Inside Sources on Channels Television, Adeosun explained that the controversy surrounding her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate was exploited by influential figures who wanted her out of office.
Adeosun stepped down in 2018 after allegations surfaced that the NYSC certificate she submitted as part of her official records was forged.
According to her, once the issue emerged, she personally informed President Buhari and made it clear that she intended to pursue legal action against the federal government to clear her name.
She said remaining in the cabinet while suing the government would have been inappropriate, leaving resignation as the only option.
“I had powerful enemies who saw an opening and decided it was time to get rid of me,” she said.
Adeosun noted that her decision to resign was not taken lightly, stressing that she was the only finance minister under the administration to step down voluntarily.
“The day I resigned, I went straight to the president and told him I needed to leave, but I would go to court to defend my name,” she recalled.
She said Buhari supported her decision, advising that protecting one’s name and legacy was more important than holding on to public office.
According to Adeosun, pursuing a lawsuit against the government while still serving as a minister would have been unethical.
“You can’t be suing the government and remain in government at the same time,” she said. “Stepping aside was the right thing to do.”