No fewer than 17 Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, Tuesday, withdrew allegations of wrongdoing and apologized to the Director General, DG, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr Adebowale Adedokun.
The CSOs had earlier leveled allegations of financial impropriety, abuse of office, and monetization of Certificates of No Objection against Adedokun, and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa, which was circulated on different conventional and online media platforms.
Also they had mobilized to hit the streets in regards to the false allegations they had earlier raised against the DG and Obasa, the Chief of Staff scheduled for this week Friday 5th December at the BPP headquarters in Abuja and the National Assembly.
The CSOs had their leaders signed the statement include: Comrade Ibrahim Bello – National Coordinator, Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CFTPI); Hajiya Fatima Sani – Executive Director, Citizens Watch for Good Governance (CWGG); Barr. Chukwudi Eze – Chairman, Accountability and Democratic Values Initiative (ADVI); Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okeke – President, Nigerian Coalition Against Corruption and Waste (NCACW); Pastor Emmanuel Adebayo – General Secretary, Voice of Conscience Foundation (VOCF); Mr. Tunde Ogunleye – National Convener, Integrity Monitors Network (IMN); Ms. Chioma Nwosu – Chairperson, Patriots for Transparent Procurement (PTP); Comrade Aisha Yusuf – National Secretary, Civil Liberties and Anti-Corruption Movement (CLACOM).
Others are, Engr. Musa Abdullahi – Director of Programmes, Due Process Advocacy Network (DPAN); Prof. Grace Adeyemi – Board Chair, National Alliance for Ethical Leadership (NAEL); Mr. Segun Olawale – Spokesperson, Citizens Coalition for Open Governance (CCOG); Barr. (Mrs.) Funmi Adewole – Legal Adviser, Justice and Accountability Project (JAP); Alhaji Usman Danladi – Northern Coordinator, Nigerian Integrity and Development Forum (NIDF); Rev. Fr. Joseph Okon – South-South Zonal Chairman, Public Funds Protection Movement (PFPM); Ms. Bolanle Adeoti – Women Leader, Transparency and Responsibility Advocates (TRA); Elder Peter Okonkwo – South-East Coordinator, Good Governance Monitors Assembly (GGMA); and Mallam Bello Yakubu – North-West Chairman, Anti-Corruption Crusaders Network (ACCN).
The statement reads in part, “Today, the leadership of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CCSO) – a platform of over seventeen (17) registered and reputable civil society groups across Nigeria – addresses the nation on a matter of principle, accountability, and national interest.
“In the past week, allegations of financial impropriety, abuse of office, and monetization of Certificates of No Objection were levelled against the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa. Some member organizations of CCSO, acting on reports circulating in the media and online, issued statements and began mobilizing for a national rally scheduled for Friday, 5th December 2025, at the BPP headquarters and the National Assembly.
“Following an emergency joint meeting of all seventeen member organizations, a thorough review of official records, and direct engagement with verifiable evidence provided by the Bureau, we have reached a unanimous resolution that the allegations are entirely false, baseless, and deliberately fabricated by interests opposed to the far-reaching reforms currently underway at the BPP.
“On behalf of the entire Coalition and its over seventeen member organizations, we hereby: “Unreservedly withdraw every statement, press release, social media post, or public comment issued by CCSO or any of its affiliates that implicated Dr. Adebowale Adedokun and Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa in any wrongdoing.
“Tender an unreserved and sincere public apology to: Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement; Mr. Olanrewaju Obasa, Chief of Staff; The management and staff of the BPP.
“The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; and the Federal Government of Nigeria for the distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm caused by our earlier position.”
Meanwhile, they also unanimously passed vote of confidence on the leadership of DG BPP, Dr Adedokun.
“We pass a unanimous and resounding vote of confidence in the leadership of Dr. Adebowale Adedokun. Under his stewardship, the BPP has recorded historic achievements that deserve national commendation, including:
“Blocking financial leakages through rigorous due process enforcement; Establishing the Price Intelligence Unit, Procurement Surveillance and Audit Unit, and Monitoring and Evaluation Unit; Championing the Nigeria First Policy and Affirmative Procurement;
“Deepening participation of women, youth, and Small and Medium Enterprises in federal contracts; Advancing a contractor classification and rating system set for full rollout by January 2026 – a game-changer that will end the era of awarding multibillion-naira projects to incompetent contractors.”
Also they “Officially and irrevocably cancel the planned rally of Friday, 5th December 2025. All state chapters, zonal coordinators, and partner networks are directed to stand down immediately.
“The CCSO remains irrevocably committed to the fight against corruption wherever it exists. But we are equally committed to truth, fairness, and justice. When evidence shows that a public official is not the problem but part of the solution, it is our duty to acknowledge it publicly and without hesitation. That is what we have done today.
“We urge the media, online platforms, and all Nigerians who helped amplify the false narrative to demonstrate the same courage by retracting their reports and issuing corrections.
“We commend Dr. Adebowale Adedokun and the BPP for their transparency and willingness to be held accountable – qualities that true reformers embody.”
