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Concerns have been raised over potential political interference in the management and functional review (MFR) of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) following a suspension of the Director of the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), Mr. Sulaiman Phoray-Musa.
The suspension, communicated through a letter from the Secretary to the President, cites concerns raised by ICPNC regarding the final report of the MFR and its implications for implementing the recommendations. The letter instructed the assignment of Mr. Patrick M. Kawa, Director of Management Services at the Human Resource Management Office, to oversee PSRU operations during the review process. However, this has sparked debate, with many civil servants questioning the timing and motivation behind the decision.
There is speculation that Mr. Phoray-Musa’s suspension stems from his refusal to compromise his unbiased presentation of the MFR recommendations to the ICPNC’s Board of Directors and staff, a stance that has reportedly caused friction with political figures.
The PSRU, which operates under the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs, is not directly controlled by the Office of the President, raising legal concerns over the SP’s authority in this matter.
Adding to the controversy, sources within the civil service have suggested that personal interests may have played a role in the decision. Notably, the Secretary to the President’s wife serves as the Director of Finance at ICPNC, prompting questions about possible undue influence over the commission’s restructuring process. The sudden change in ICPNC’s organogram, reportedly directed by the Secretary to the President, has fueled further speculation.
In addition to the suspension, the Secretary to the President issued a memo directing all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to report directly to him, raising concerns about the roles of the Vice President, Chief Minister, and line ministries responsible for coordinating government agencies.
A senior civil servant, speaking anonymously, remarked, “The Director of PSRU is doing a fantastic job and should be commended. He has successfully carried out MFRs for several MDAs, so why is ICPNC different? Could it be because of his wife’s position at the commission?”
The PSRU’s MFR process is a crucial step toward institutional reforms and aligns with President Bio’s commitment to revamping state institutions, a central pillar of his governance agenda. However, the recent developments have cast doubt on whether these reforms can proceed free of political interference.
As this situation continues to unfold, civil servants and governance experts are calling for greater transparency in the process and for the authorities to ensure that institutional reforms are carried out without political or personal influence.
