President Muhammadu Buhari has intervened in the on-going crisis in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) over the suspension of the Executive Secretary Prof. Usman Yusuf by the Governing Council of the Scheme.

The ES who had refused to go on the suspension and had forced his way into the office building a day after he was suspended, has been directed by President Buhari to proceed on administrative leave.

The ES who had been enmeshed in series of controversy included an earlier suspension by the Minister of Health Isaac Adewole, had been quoted many times saying that only President Muhammadu Buhari could suspend him or sack him.

The headquarters of the Scheme had been marred by protests by the labour unions of the scheme who insisted that the Executive Secretary must proceed on the suspension.

Recall that the SGF had explained that ‘no governing board of a federal agency or parastatal has the power to remove the chief executive appointed by the President.

“The board may however articulate infractions, investigate wrong doing and make recommendations to government through the supervisory minister,” Mustapha said.

He made the clarification at an induction programme for governing board members of federal parastatals, universities and medical centres at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The declaration came amidst controversy over the suspension of Yusuf by the NHIS governing council. (NAN)