The Reformed National Coalition For Democracy (RNCD) has alleged a governor from the southeast on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the mastermind of the dissolution of the Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere led adhoc committee.... CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
The group has therefore threatened a showdown with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, even as it vowed to expose shady deals under him unless he rescinded the decision of the House leadership to dissolving the ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee to sanitize the sector.
“We are aware of the pivotal role played by a particular APC Governor in the Southeast who has been the mastermind of the crisis in the House of Representatives, as this same Governor is enabling insecurity in his state and the Southeast in general while continuing to expend efforts in sustaining the crisis in the House to suppress voices calling for sanity”, RNCD said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The RNCD, a civil society organization, said the work the committee was carrying out was too important to be stopped midway.
The group, in a statement widely circulated to journalists on Monday, and signed by its National Coordinator, Francis Ujah accused the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of conniving with some powerful people to sweep the shocking discoveries of the Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere-led committee under the carpet.
Una said the Speaker’s decision to dissolve the committee was unhealthy for democracy and the country’s economic development.
While noting that Ugochinyere’s courageous efforts must be saluted, the group threatened to expose all the shady deals under Abbas’ leadership as Speaker of the House.
According to the statement, Ugochinyere had acted boldly and brilliantly by indicting the Group Chief Executive Officers of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, and NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed, without fear or favour.
The statement reads:”Ugochinyere has done well by investigating the allegations of the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and broader threats to Nigeria’s energy security.
“He acted like a true patriot with bravery and integrity by calling for the suspension of the NNPC GMD. His dedication to national assignments and the courage with which he delivered is remarkable.
“However, it is disgraceful to see the House leadership led by the Speaker dissolving a committee that has done well to protect our common interest. It is a shame that the integrity of the House has been compromised.
“Nigerians should take note that the House leadership visited Dangote refinery lately and commended him, but the probe recommended by the Ugochinyere committee is part of the process to sanitize the system and allow Dangote a level playing field.
“Unfortunately, the Speaker has dissolved the committee and stopped the good work it was doing.
We are calling on all Nigerians to hold the House leadership responsible if NNPC goes ahead with the planned crude-for-loan deal. We are also putting it on record that delaying the suspension of the NNPCL and NMDPRA CEOs is dangerous, despite the thorough job done by the joint committee.
“If the dissolution of the committee is not reversed, we will be forced to expose the dealings that took place when the House leadership visited Dangote Refinery.
