Presidency to investigate ''moles' in the civil service leaking classified documents to opposition parties

The Presidency has requested an investigation into the civil service framework in order to eliminate individuals it refers to as "moles" who are loyal to opposition parties and leak classified documents to these parties.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, called for the investigation after an internal memo was revealed, indicating that President Tinubu allegedly sanctioned the disbursement of N500m from a total of N1bn to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. The allocated funds were intended for the inauguration of a 37-member Tripartite Committee responsible for discussing the New National Minimum Wage.

The PDP in a statement released demanded for an investigation into the release of the funds.

Onanuga in an interview with Punch. said Federal Government needs to to take action in identifying and removing individuals who are leaking classified documents and are believed to have allegiance to the opposition parties. He said this step is crucial in ensuring the security and maintenance of sensitive information.

"What is worrisome is, how come a memo written by SGF to the President and bearing the President's signature leaked out? It means that there are some fifth columnists-within the government. It's not the first time a memo will leak. There was a memo leak when the President went to UNGA, about a request for money to pay for his hotel bills and you wonder where it is leaking from. There are so many moles around who are probably doing the bid of the opposition. They are not respecting the civil service rule for handling official secrets. And it shows that the government should look inwards to probe how memos between officials are getting into the public space. Memos that are supposed to be secret are not supposed to be flying all over the place."