NNPC’s $25bn Scandal: PDP seeks suspension, probe of Baru

*Claims money is for Buhari’s second term bid

Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, tasked President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the embattled Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru so that investigation into the N25 billion contract scam at the corporation can be conducted without interference.

The opposition PDP also demanded that the President should order the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies to immediately commence investigation into all issues of corruption levelled against Baru, as well as other persons who might have overtly or covertly participated in the illegal act.
The party said these at a press conference addressed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye in Abuja.

The PDP claimed that the N25 billion contract scam at the NNPC is meant to fund the campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term ambition in 2019.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, in a leaked letter to President Buhari dated August 30, had accused the Group Managing Director (GMD) Dr. Maikanti Baru of insubordination and corruption.

The PDP, at its press conference said, “As a political party, we expect that the President, who prides himself as an indefatigable corruption fighter, would for once try to live above board, by genuinely allowing one of his own, accused of corruption, get properly investigated and prosecuted as a show of his impartiality in the war against corruption,” the party said.‎

The party ‎added that allegations levelled against Baru by Kachikwu was too grave to be swept under the carpet, insisting that the NNPC GMD should be treated like an accused person who should not have the opportunity to influence investigation into his alleged misdeeds.

The PDP, which alleged that there is insincerity in President Buhari’s anti-corruption war, challenged him (the president) to correct the open impression Nigerians have about his so called anti-corruption war.

The party’s press statement reads: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to express our shock at the loud silence of President Muhammadu Buhari on the humongous corruption scandal and other illegalities currently being exposed at the nation’s cash cow, the NNPC in which two of his henchmen, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru are the dramatis personae.

“As a political party, we expect that the President, who prides himself as an indefatigable corruption fighter, would for once try to live above board, by genuinely allowing one of his own, accused of corruption, get properly investigated and prosecuted as a show of his impartiality in the war against corruption.

“He should do this to correct the open impression Nigerians have about his so called anti-corruption war; that it’s just a tool of persecution of perceived enemies.

“We view the allegations leveled against Baru by Kachikwu as too grave to be swept under the carpet and we insist that the NNPC GMD must be treated like an accused who should not have the opportunity to influence investigation into his alleged misdeeds.

“In this light, we demand an immediate suspension of the NNPC GMD so that proper investigation can be carried out by the relevant anti-corruption agencies.

“We demand as bonafide Nigerians, an express order from President Muhammadu Buhari to the NNPC GMD asking him to go on compulsory leave so that investigation into the matter at stake can be conducted without interference.

“We also demand an order from the President to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies to immediately commence investigation into all issues of corruption levelled against Baru, as well as other persons who might have overtly or covertly participated in the illegal act.

“Much as we commend the National Assembly for indicating interest in probing the allegations against the NNPC GMD as approved in the adoption of the motion moved by Senator Samuel Anyanwu at the Wednesday plenary, we wish to appeal to the leadership of the Senate to prevail on the Ad-hoc committee set up for the purpose of the investigation, to make their sitting open to all Nigerians so that nothing will be surreptitiously swept under the carpet.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reiterate our support for the drive to eliminate corruption from the workings of the Nigerian government, but we hold firmly to our stance that the APC Government under president Buhari must lead and live by example.

“We say no to soft landing to corruption; and corrupt members of the APC government. We say no to double standard in the fight against corruption”, the opposition party said.