The Economic Freedom Assembly (EFA) has strongly criticized a group of lawmakers who called for retaining the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC) and the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The lawmakers, led by Hon. Billy Famous Osawaru from Edo State, were accused of acting against the people’s interests by supporting the current oil industry leadership, which the EFA claims is marred by incompetence, corruption, and mismanagement.
In a statement signed by Dr. Pedro Osahon and Comrade Isah Suleiman Kadiri, the EFA demanded the resignation of the lawmakers, alleging that their actions contribute to Nigeria’s economic woes, including hardship, hunger, and public anger. The group suggested that the support for the current leaders of the NNPC and NMDPRA shows a disconnect from the suffering of the populace and warned of potential public disgrace if they continue their stance.
The EFA’s statement emphasized that the resignations of the lawmakers and the current heads of the NNPC and NMDPRA are necessary for the country’s greater good. They likened the situation to the downfall of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and warned that continued support for the current oil sector leaders would lead to similar consequences.
The group urged the lawmakers to step down voluntarily to avoid public disgrace, suggesting that their support for the oil sector heads was self-serving and disconnected from public sentiment. The EFA asserted that resigning would be the honorable action, allowing for new leadership that could better serve the nation’s interests.
