In a show of support, fifty members of the House of Representatives emphasized their backing for Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, and Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
They urged for calm and appealed to all Nigerians to bring the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests to a halt.
The lawmakers criticized the premature calls for the removal of Kyari and Farouk, deeming it against parliamentary norms.
Leading the delegation, Billy Osawaru from Edo State, emphasized that asking for Kyari’s dismissal during an ongoing investigation goes against parliamentary precedents.
Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson for the House of Representatives, had previously urged President Bola Tinubu to promptly remove Kyari, alleging a detrimental impact on the economy amidst the oil sector crisis.
Agbese also pushed for the ousting of Farouk and others in inherited positions.
However, Osawaru rebuffed these calls during a press briefing, highlighting the importance of allowing a fair hearing before making decisions on government officials.
He stressed the need for impartiality in the ongoing investigation by the committee.
Osawaru stated, “Nigerians will recall the concerns over fuel price hikes and associated issues. The House of Representatives, through its resolutions, mandated the joint committee on Midstream and Downstream Petroleum to investigate matters in the oil and gas sector.”
“We are mindful that the investigation is underway, and no final verdict has been reached. Yet, calls for the removal of NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer and NMDPRA’s Chief Executive Officer have surfaced during the ongoing inquiry.”
“We affirm the importance of granting all involved parties a fair hearing in the investigation. Hence, demanding removals while inquiries are ongoing is premature.”
“We urge all Nigerians to exercise patience and uphold the law in anticipation of a better Nigeria.”
The lawmakers voiced their apprehension regarding the ongoing protests, stating they gathered to assess the situation’s impact on Nigerians’ well-being.
They implored for tranquility and beseeched all Nigerians to conclude the protests.
Osawaru added, “Today, on the 1st of August 2024, over 50 House of Representatives members, deeply concerned about the ongoing protests, convened to further evaluate the situation’s repercussions on Nigerians’ well-being.”
“Initially, we commend the National Assembly, especially the House of Representatives under the leadership of Right Honorable Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, for organizing youth dialogues to alleviate tensions surrounding the scheduled protests.”
“Having observed the nationwide protests, we commend the youths and Nigerians at large for their conduct. We urge for calm and implore all to end the protests.”