$25 billion allegation: Group calls for urgent investigation of NNPC GMD

A group known as Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM), on Friday, called on the executive arm of government to immediately investigate the allegation leveled against the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, thoroughly and do the needful for the collective image and good of the country.

In a statement by its Executive Chairman, Nelson Ekujumi, a copy of which was made available to Saturday Tribune in Abuja, on Friday, the group was worried by the allegation of indiscipline rearing its ugly head in the life of the present administration, because it was at variance with the integrity and character of President Muhammadu Buhari as a disciplinarian of the highest global standard.

According to the statement, the CPPM, like patriotic Nigerians, interests and groups is saddened and disturbed by allegations of insubordination and abuse of due process in the discharge of his responsibility leveled against the GMD of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, via his leaked memo to President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We regard the allegations as very weighty and deserving of the urgent investigation because of it is a negative effect on the reputation of this administration which has propagated adherence to due process and accountability as cardinal programmes in its official engagements.

“Despite being embarrassed, we remain civilized, democratic and responsible by calling on the executive to immediately investigate this allegation thoroughly and do the needful for our collective image and good.

“We commend most appreciably the laudable step of the Senate to investigate this matter of urgent national importance and urge them to avail the executive of its findings for appropriate actions in line with its legislative functions.

“However, we condemn in strong and unmistakable terms, the barbaric, irresponsible, irresponsive, reckless, as well as provocative and assault on national sensibilities comments by agents of destabilization and anti-democratic elements of impugning ethnic and political sentiments into an allegation which has not yet been investigated and proven to a logical conclusion.

“We call on Nigerians to remain steadfast, focused and vigilant to hold government at all levels accountable to the people based on issues and refused to be invited to engage in acts capable of undermining unity, peace and security of the society by aggrieved individuals, interest and groups,” it added.

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