The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to immediately relinquish his position as Minister of Petroleum.
The forum made the call in a communique issued at the end of its meeting on Wednesday at Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s country home in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia.
The governors said the it has become necessary to separate the two portfolios for effective accounting and oversight.
The forum expressed concern over reports and claims of cases of crude oil theft, ranging from 80 per cent to 95 per cent.
It alleged that inspite of oil selling at above $110 per barrel in the international market, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) had not been able to make its statutory contributions to the Federation Account.
“It is patently unconstitutional for NNPC to determine when and what to pay to the Federation Account because it is a mere trustee of the funds for the three tiers of government.
“We once again call for investigation and audit of the quantity of consumption of fuel ascribed to Nigerians,” they stated.
“Conclusively, we believe that all these leakages in NNPC have been made possible because the President is also the Minister of Petroleum. The urgent separation of these two portfolios have become necessary,” the governors added.
