Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The Arewa youths have known as on President Bola Tinubu to right away droop the Executive Vice President, Downstream, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Dr. Mumuni Dagazau, to permit for an impartial, clear and credible investigation into allegations of abuse of workplace towards him.
The name by the group adopted the graduation of preliminary investigations by the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) into two petitions bordering on alleged misconduct and regulatory issues in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.
The Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, had disclosed throughout a technical briefing marking the conclusion of Downstream Week 2026 that the Committee had constituted two separate sub-committees to conduct preliminary investigations into the petitions and submit their findings to the principle Committee for consideration and additional legislative motion.
However, the group in an announcement issued Wednesday by its Convener, Kabiru Yusuf, mentioned he thought-about the event a severe matter that calls for accountability, transparency and respect for due course of.
While acknowledging that the allegations stay topic to investigation and that Dagazau is entitled to the presumption of innocence, the group maintained that public confidence within the NNPCL and the broader petroleum trade should not be undermined by any notion of interference, institutional safety or lack of accountability.
Yusuf famous: “We due to this fact name on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to right away droop Dr. Dagazau pending the end result of the investigation or be sure that applicable administrative measures are taken to ensure that the method proceeds with out interference.
“We additionally urge Dr. Dagazau to voluntarily step apart from his place whereas the investigation is ongoing. Such a choice would show respect for the National Assembly, reinforce public confidence within the investigative course of and affirm the precept that no public official is above scrutiny.
“Furthermore, we call on the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to conduct a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation into the petitions before it.”
The group mentioned the Committee should be sure that all related proof is examined, all events are given a good listening to, and its findings are made accessible to the general public in accordance with relevant legal guidelines and parliamentary procedures.
It maintained the allegations involving NIPCO gasoline distribution licences should equally obtain the required scrutiny to ascertain whether or not the licences had been issued and are being operated in compliance with related legal guidelines, rules and established procedures.
It added that Nigeria’s petroleum sector is simply too essential to be allowed to function underneath a cloud of unresolved allegations.
According to the group, at a time when residents are grappling with financial hardship and the rising price of residing, public officers entrusted with strategic obligations have to be ready to show integrity, accountability and transparency.
It confused that its place just isn’t a declaration of guilt towards any particular person or company entity, slightly, it’s a demand for an investigation that’s free from political affect, institutional interference or preferential remedy.
“We believe that the best way to protect the integrity of the NNPCL, preserve public trust and uphold the rule of law is to allow the investigative process to proceed unhindered and to ensure that appropriate action is taken based on its findings,” it insisted.
