Intense lobbying for top NNPC jobs commences

....ethnic cleansing is imminent

There are desperate and intense lobbying going on for the position of the Group Managing Director, (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Executive Directors for an eight new structures being proposed and awaiting the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari.

As part of measures aimed at actualizing the take-off of the proposed new structures, it was gathered that some elements within the presidency are planning to fill the positions with core Northerners while qualified officers from the North-central, South-west, South-east and South-south geo-political zones are being pushed to obscured departments and positions. While some are being considered for retirement.

Already, three names from the North-west and North-east geo-political zones are believed to have already been forwarded to President Buhari for consideration and approval for the position of Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC. They are Malam Isa Inuwa from Kano State, Dr. M.K. Baru from Bauchi and Alhaji Sa;adi Farouk.

Baru is a former Group General Manager of NAPIMS, a subsidiary of the NNPC while Malam Inuwa, whose background is in Accounting is currently the Deputy Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) just as Alhaji Farouk, had served as Group Executive Director (GED) Exploration Production of the NNPC.

It was further gathered that some powerful forces from the North close to Buhari that include Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State is leading the trio of Malam Sarki Abba, Adamu Adamu, and AVM Muktar in lobbying Buhari to approve the new structure and appointment of one of the three nominees.

Findings however indicated that in the proposed structure, Northerners plan to occupy all Group Executive Directors positions (GED) and other strategic positions which include that of the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) as well as the position of the Managing Director and Group General Manager for the Crude Oil Marketers Division (COMD).

It was specifically gathered that the plan is to flush out non-northerners & non-Muslims presently occupying key positions.

But the development is believed to be raising serious concerns within and outside the NNPC just as industry experts are of the view that such a move may spell doom for the oil sector in the country.

It was also gathered that if the powerful Northern forces have their way, other contenders that include a former Shell MD, Oando’s Mofe Boyo, Chief Pius Akinyelure, a former Executive Director at Mobil, Bayo Ibirogba, Mr Udom Inoyo, a former Director at Mobil and former Minister of Works, Engr Christopher Aigbovbiosa Ogiemwonyi, who was one time GED at the NNPC and the current GED Gas, Mr David Ige would be effectively and completely shut out.

However, an industry watcher, Chief Ezekiel Aminegbue, said he believes that the president being an experience person in the oil sector would not toe the line of the Northern forces knowing the possible consequences such a move would create.

He said; “I can assure you that the President would not approve the proposed structure because it completely negates the much- scored war against corruption and injustice upon which the APC campaign was premised.”

Meanwhile, some industry experts are calling for the return of the former GMD Engr Andy Yakubu.

An engineer from one of the oil companies said, Yakubu left behind a robust legacy at the NNPC, “he spurred reorganization efforts at the Towers, he spearheaded organizational realignment, and improved the refineries bringing it to an all-time high in performance utilization, with Nigeria witnessing fewer fuel scarcity and long lines at fuel stations during his time”.

A source in the know said that the economy will suffer terribly if the proposed group structure is implemented, “Nigerians voted for change irrespective of religion and ethnicity, he said Monday.

#economy