Tinubu reinstates Nenibarini Zabbey as HYPREP coordinator two days after removal

President Bola Tinubu has reinstated Nenibarini Zabbey, a senior lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, as the coordinator for the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

On July 13, President Tinubu had removed Zabbey from his position, appointing Olufemi Adekanmbi, former commissioner of special duties in Ondo, as his replacement.

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) strongly condemned Zabbey’s removal, threatening to seal the HYPREP office in Port Harcourt if he was not reinstated. MOSOP described the appointment of a non-Ogoni individual as an affront, emphasizing that the Ogoni community has competent individuals capable of leading the project.

In response to the backlash, Ajuri Ngelale, spokesperson for the president, announced on Monday that Zabbey has been reinstated as the HYPREP coordinator.

He said in a statement; 

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the reinstatement of Professor Nenibarini Zabbey as the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP). 

“The President reached the decision following a performance review of the HYPREP Project Coordinator and concluded that the Project Coordinator is fit to discharge his functions in accordance with the regulations guiding the execution of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

“By the directive of the President, the reinstatement of the HYPREP Project Coordinator takes immediate effect.”