NNPC Scandal: Step Down As Petroleum Minister, Senator Tells Buhari

Following the recent $25 billion scandal rocking the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura has advised President Muhammad Buhari to step down as Minister of Petroleum.

Recall that the scandal came into the fore after the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, accused the Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru of corruption and insubordination.

The senator, who spoke with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television Politics Today, further said the duo should be suspended for a thorough investigation into the allegations.

Senator Alasoadura said if President Buhari steps aside as Minister of Petroleum it will enable him to attend to other issues while Nigeria’s oil and gas which he described as the sector generating the bulk of the nation’s income experience undelayed progress.

He said, “Judging from the daunting problem facing our country today, I believe Mr President should devote more time to other things and let an independent person run the ministry of Petroleum Resources and be able to report to him if it is two times a week or weekly or even bi-weekly.

“As much as possible, let other people handle this ministry because that is where the bulk of the income of this country comes from and we cannot afford to have any pile-up of the things that should be done in the ministry quickly,” he said.

On Kachikwu and Baru stepping aside, Senator Alasoadura said, “I believe so; especially the man who is doing the day-to-day running of the organisation. In order not to hinder or hamper that investigation, because records will be needed and even from the date of the leakage of that letter, I think action should have been taken to ensure that nothing will be missing when investigations start.

“So, I think the two of them should be asked to step aside and when the investigation is over, whoever is culpable will go and whoever is not culpable, will continue with his duties.”