Felix Osakwe, the 2023 presidential candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), has called on President Bola Tinubu to step down from his role as Minister of Petroleum, citing his administration’s failure to resolve the ongoing fuel scarcity.
Osakwe voiced his concerns during a weekend press briefing in Abuja, where he criticized both Tinubu and the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for their inability to address the persistent fuel shortages. He specifically pointed out NNPCL’s Managing Director, Mele Kyari, and questioned Tinubu’s decision to hold the dual role of President and Petroleum Minister.
“How can the president of a country also serve as the Minister of Petroleum?” Osakwe asked. “Out of 200 million Nigerians, there was no one he trusted enough to take on the position?”
Osakwe expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability within the petroleum sector, suggesting that this dual role raises serious governance issues. He also accused the NNPCL of fostering a conspiracy that has exacerbated the fuel crisis, hinting at a possible hidden agenda.
Furthermore, Osakwe criticized the NNPCL for attempting to discredit the Dangote Refinery, following claims from NNPCL officials that fuel produced by the refinery was of substandard quality. He expressed disbelief that no corrective action was taken against the official responsible for the claim, describing the situation as damaging to the economy.
Oil and gas expert Barrister Odemwige Osaro also weighed in, arguing that Kyari’s leadership has only worsened the country’s fuel crisis. Since Kyari’s appointment in 2019, the price of petrol has surged from N145.48 per liter to nearly N1,000, contributing to Nigeria’s economic hardships.
Osaro added that President Tinubu’s reluctance to reform the NNPCL has left many Nigerians doubting the administration’s resolve to address the fuel crisis effectively.
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