Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has said her resignation from the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari was triggered by the actions of “powerful enemies” who seized on the NYSC certificate controversy to force her out of office.

Adeosun made the claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources, scheduled to air on Friday. An excerpt of the interview was aired on Thursday.

In 2018, Adeosun resigned her position after allegations emerged that she submitted a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate as part of her credentials.

According to her, individuals within the Buhari-led government viewed the controversy as an opportunity to remove her from the cabinet.

“I’m not confused about the fact that I had powerful enemies who saw an opportunity and said, ‘Let’s get rid of her,’” Adeosun said.

She explained that she informed Buhari of the situation and her intention to approach the court to clear her name, noting that it would be inappropriate to remain in government while suing the federal authorities.

“The day I resigned, I went to see the president. I told him I needed to leave but would go to court to clear my name. He supported the decision,” she said.

“You can’t be suing the government and still remain in the government. You have to go. I believe it was the right thing to do.”

In July 2021, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Adeosun could not be penalised or subjected to forfeiture over her occupation due to the NYSC certificate issue.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo held that she was under no obligation to present an NYSC certificate to hold public office in Nigeria. However, the court did not rule on the allegation that the certificate was forged.