Following
the mixed reactions that trailed the news that President Buhari had
appointed himself as the Minister of Petroleum, the APC has given
reasons for the President's decision.
Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives
Congress, APC, Otunba Henry Ajomale, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s
decision to appoint himself as petroleum minister was as a result of the
president’s knowledge about the sector, having served as a former
minister of petroleum resources in the 80s.
Fielding questions from reporters, Otunba Henry Ajomale said the
need to protect the sector from massive looting which was the norm in
past administrations could have also informed Buhari’s decision to
appoint himself as minister.
Speaking to journalist at a Yoruba leadership summit yesterday,
September 30, at the Airort Hotel, Ikeja Lagos, he said President Buhari
decided to be minister of Petroleum so as to “keep the wolfs out and use the resources in a way that is going to develop this country”.
He also urged Nigerians to support the anti-corruption war of the
president, adding that “things are getting better in that sector now and
if he becomes the head of that sector you will see the change and
whatever we are getting is not going to somebody’s pocket again its
going to go directly to the use of Nigerians”.
He said he had no problems with Buhari’s decision to head the
petroleum sector, noting that the president’s deep knowledge about the
sector would benefit the country immensely.
Mixed reactions had trailed President Buhari’s announcement that he
will head the petroleum ministry. According to him, this step is being
taken as part of efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s oil industry, which is
said to be plagued by corruption, massive fraud, and crude oil theft.
But some critics have accused the president of relegating ministerial
portfolios to the background in the name of sanitizing the oil sector.