Members of the House of Representatives are in conflict over the proposed probe of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) operations. On Saturday, a group of representatives placed adverts in three national dailies, urging the Joint Committee on Downstream and Mainstream to investigate the activities of NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
However, some of the 118 legislators mentioned in the adverts, led by Rep. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, Chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, denied consenting to the publication. They stressed that any call for Kyari’s resignation is premature and urged President Bola Tinubu to support initiatives to reposition the oil sector instead.
Among those distancing themselves from the publication were Rep. Sesoo Ikpaher, Rep. Tochukwu Okere, and Rep. Toyin Fayinka. Deputy Spokesperson Rep. Philip Agbese, who reportedly endorsed the publication, also denied giving his approval, stating he was observing prayers at the time.
The group called for a fair hearing in the probe and urged Tinubu to disregard calls for Kyari’s resignation. Efforts should focus on supporting the President’s initiatives for the oil sector, they said.
