•Group Threatens To Recall Lawmakers

The move by some members of the House of Representatives who faulted calls for the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, Mele Kyari, and the Chief Executive of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, has been met with opposition and threats of recall.

Some lawmakers in the Green Chamber reportedly numbering 50 led by Billy Famous Osawaru (Edo State) had in a press conference on Thursday faulted the calls for the removal of Kyari and Farouk, describing such move as premature.

Recall that Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, had asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately dismiss Kyari and the NMDPRA for allegedly stifling the growth of the economy due to the oil sector crisis.

But Osawaru said the call for the sacking of Kyari when an investigation is currently being carried out was against parliamentary culture.

Reacting, the Economic Freedom Assembly (EFA) slammed Osawaru and his colleagues for suggesting that Kyari and Ahmed should continue in their positions.

The group said the actions of the lawmakers “demonstrate that they are working against the people’s interests.”

In a statement on Friday jointly signed by its National President, Dr. Pedro Osahon, and Secretary General, Comrade Isah Suleiman Kadiri, the group stated that the lawmakers’ call for Kyari and Ahmed to remain in office was “against the dictates of common sense and the glaring failure, incompetence and ineptitude” of the duo, who have “compounded the woes of the masses.”

The group noted that the hardship, hunger, and anger in the land were “a result of the massive failure, corruption, and mismanagement being witnessed in the oil industry today.”

The group suggested that instead of the lawmakers trying to attract the wrath of the masses, they should resign from representing their federal constituencies.