Members of the House of Representatives seem to be divided over the proposed investigation into the activities of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL).... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
On Saturday, August 3, a group of House members published advertisements in three major newspapers, urging the Joint Committee on Downstream and Mainstream to examine the actions of NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
However, some of the 118 legislators reportedly involved have said that they did not authorize the advertisement.
The group, led by Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, Chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, was alleged to have endorsed the ad.
The advertisement demanded a fair investigation into Kyari, asserting that calls for his resignation at this stage were both unnecessary and premature.
The lawmakers’ ad also urged President Bola Tinubu to disregard demands for Kyari’s dismissal or resignation and to instead focus on supporting initiatives to reform the nation’s oil sector.
Several members who distanced themselves from the ad include Sesoo Ikpaher, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Land Transport, Tochukwu Okere, and Toyin Fayinka.
Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese, who was reportedly associated with the ad, denied giving his approval.
Despite having previously advocated for Kyari’s removal, Agbese claimed he had requested time to review the ad due to his observance of prayers and was surprised to find himself listed as a supporter.
Another anonymous legislator said that they had not reviewed the ad before its publication.
“I would have advised against it.
“Those behind it called me and said they were working on something; I didn’t know it was an advertisement they were working on,” the lawmaker said.
It is worth noting that Philip Agbese and the other lawmakers associated with the Energy Reforms and Economic Prosperity group had previously advocated for Kyari’s removal.
This group contended that Kyari’s leadership had impeded the development of the oil sector and, consequently, obstructed the nation’s economic progress.
