Bola Tinubu has upheld that cautious exclusion of Ibe
Kachikwu as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) which was published in the Nation’s newspaper
titled “Kachikwu Fate,” dated July 12, with control of northern mafias as they are
given all the juicy positions may result to ethnic crisis.
Earlier on, an advocacy group in the Niger Delta had faulted
the unjust removal of Kachikwu from his position as the GMD, saying it was an
act of disservice to the people of the Niger Delta.
In a statement released by its President, Nelly Emma;
Secretary, John Sailor and Public Relations Officer, Stanley Mukoro, the group stressed
that the abrupt removal of Kachikwu, was an unfair treatment, not only to the
hard-working technocrats, but to the entire people of the neglected oil rich
Niger Delta Region. Saying that “the appointment of Baru by the President, is
not in the best interest of the nation, but to satisfy the interest of the
North.”
Tinubu while criticizing Buhari’s action, said: “The
president appointed a new board for the NNPC… That decision defrocks Ibe
Kachikwu of that position, which leaves him as the Minister of State for
Petroleum.
“First, Baru’s replacement of Kachikwu, implies that
Kachikwu would not only run the NNPC behemoth, but will now only act on the
behest of the President, who doubles as Petroleum Minister’’.
According to some anaylysts, Kachikwu’s office at the risk
of becoming plum, because Baru will be reporting directly to the president. Adding
that the office of Minister of State is just a formality to obey the law of
federal character.
‘’What worried the Nigerian society more, was the skewed
nature of the board. Of the six names on the board, only one is regarded as
belonging to the oil-producing area of the Niger Delta. That name is Dr. Thomas
John. The others are either from the southwest or the north. In fact, if we add
the managing director, it is a northern affair.
‘’Since the days of Adako Boro, the region has not muted its
outcry for its residents to enjoy the oil that comes from the bowel of their
earth. Granted that the governments of the region, whether state or local
governments, or even interventions like the Niger Delta Development Commission,
have also sharply fallen short of local expectations, the Federal Government
ought not to compound it”.
finally, Tinubu emphasized: “The region suffers, for most
part, from collusion between oil firms and the political elites in Abuj,a to
determine the fates of their citizens. It is in that context that this new raft
of NNPC appointees is viewed. It is also curious that the President could
appoint Abba Kyari, his Chief of Staff, as a member of the board.
“The nation needs to know why. Kyari’s job as the
President’s closest staff, should not only be enough for one man, but compels
him to look at all departments of government with even judgment.”
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