Falana Tells Tinubu to Cease Presenting Himself as Petroleum Minister

Falana Advises Tinubu to Cease Presenting Himself as Minister of Petroleum Resources rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged President Bola Tinubu to refrain from parading himself as the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

Falana argued that this action by the President violates Section 147 of the Constitution, cautioning Tinubu against imitating the actions of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking at the public presentation of the book “Dis Life No Balance: An Anthropology of Nigerian Diaspora Voices,” co-authored by Professors Farooq Kperogi and Moses Ochonu, and Dr. Osmund Agbo, Falana expressed his concerns. He highlighted that Tinubu’s assumption of the Minister of Petroleum Resources role without being screened by the National Assembly raises issues of accountability for the NNPC Limited.

Falana referenced a recent statement made by former Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who advised Tinubu against occupying the office of the Minister of Petroleum Resources. Sanusi emphasized that such an arrangement makes it challenging for the country to hold the NNPC Limited accountable.

Falana questioned why no investigation has been conducted despite the country paying N11 trillion over eight years under President Muhammadu Buhari to import oil or fuel. He asserted that Tinubu should not present himself as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, as his nomination was never submitted to the Senate for mandatory screening, as required by Section 147 of the Constitution.

In conclusion, Falana advised President Tinubu to refrain from assuming the position of Minister of Petroleum Resources and avoid following the examples set by Presidents Obasanjo and Buhari.