The Commissioner in charge of Operations at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Prince Anofi Elegushi has said that Vice President Kashim Shettima has never interfered with decision-making at the commission.
The commissioner stated this in response to ongoing controversy regarding the selection of a service provider for Nigerian pilgrims during Hajj 2025.
The chairman of NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh had threatened to cancel the contract signed with Mashariq Al Dhahabia citing their flatulating status within the NUSUK Hajj package platform.
“As far as I know, the Vice President only act based on the recommendation made to him by the Chairman of NAHCON Prof Saleh Abdullahi Usman that there is a need to cancel the contracts signed with Mashriq Al Dhahabia and pick a new company,” Mr Elegushi said in a chat with HAJJ REPORTERS over the telephone on Wednesday.
Speaking further Prince Elegushi said “ VP has been playing his fatherly role and has never interfered in any way.
“ A memo was sent to him by the NAHCON Chairman recommending the termination of the Saudi-based Hajj service provider and he approved the recommendation with a caveat on the need to be cautious of legal actions.
“So, the rumour going round that the VP initiated the cancellation of the contract is not true,” he said.
The Commissioner assured Nigerians that the 2025 hajj exercise will be successful as the preparations under his office as head of operations are progressing as planned.
“We have made adequate progress with Airlines and pilgrims’ accommodation. We also met with GACA and our transportation arrangements are intact. We are working round the clock to ensure we finish all that is needed before the deadline of February 14th” He said.
