NNPC probe: More controversy as Reps deny endorsing publication

By Christiana Ekpa with agency report

There appears to be major disagreement between members of the House of Representatives over the proposed probe of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) operations under Mele Kyari.
A group of members of the House over the weekend placed adverts in three national dailies, urging the Joint Committee of House of Reps on Downstream and Mainstream to investigate Kyari’s activities.
However, in a new twist, some members among the 118 legislators in Abuja did not consent to the publication.
Lawmakers numbering 118 lawmakers, led by Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), were alleged to have signed the publication.
In the advert, the group demanded a fair hearing in the probe of Kyari, adding that any call for his resignation at this stage was unnecessary and premature.
In their publication, the group of lawmakers also urged President Bola Tinubu to disregard the call for the sack of Mr Kyari.
They said that efforts should rather be geared towards supporting Mr Tinubu’s initiatives to reposition the nation’s oil sector.
Among the members who distanced themselves from the publication were Sesoo Ikpaher, deputy chairman, House Committee on Land Transport, Tochukwu Okere, and Toyin Fayinka.
Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson for the parliament, who was said to have endorsed the publication, also denied giving his approval.
Mr Agbese had, in various media reports, urged Mr Tinubu to fire Kyari even before the commencement of the investigation.
Mr Agbese said that the lawmakers behind the advert sought his consent but asked for some time to give them feedback because he was observing his prayers.
He said he was surprised that he was included among the lawmakers who approved the publication.