The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to as “a matter of urgent national importance”, institute an independent inquiry into the account of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, from 1999 to 2013, with a view to uncovering the alleged rot in the corporation.
The probe, according to the CNPP, will put a stop to revenue leakages.
The CNPP, in an open appeal to Dr. Jonathan, argued that no sane person could dismiss with a wave of hand previous and current monumental disclosure from the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Malam Sanisu Lamido Sanusi.
It noted that the drums of war from several quarters and “do-or-die attitude” being displayed as the country approaches 2015 general elections seem to echo and revolve around who signs the Oil Signature.
The CNPP through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said: “To us the missing link is the accuracy of Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s figures, not the absence of rot in the NNPC; which the independent inquiry will be mandated to unravel and cleanse for posterity.
“We are making this patriotic appeal not only to stop the revenue leakages bleeding our country to stupor, but also to save our democracy and our dear country from harm’s way.
“It is our considered view that the 2015 general elections will be free, fair and more transparent, if President Jonathan can muster the political will to clean the Augean stable in the NNPC, since the inception of our democracy or even his regime.
“A transparent audit t by an independent inquiry, without prejudice to the PIB Bill, which from all indications has been kept in view, will ventilate the fouled atmosphere in the industry.
“President Jonathan would wittingly ink his name in the hall of fame of history, clear his name from this rot, sacrifice those who are tainting his name and protect our fledgling democracy and our dear country, if he honours this appeal.
“It is pertinent to note that no sane person can dismiss with a wave of the hand the monumental disclosure from the Governor of Central Bank and the constitutionally-authorised Economic Adviser to Mr President – no matter how inaccurate his figures might be.
“To us, the missing link is the accuracy of Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s figures, not the absence of the rot in the NNPC, which the Independent Inquiry will be mandated to unravel and cleanse for posterity.
“For example, can we dismiss his allegation that NNPC’s claim of expending $8.49b in paying subsidy is doubtful? More so after NNPC had officially earlier reported not making deduction for fuel between April 2012 and 2013 and when the National Assembly duly appropriated first N888b and secondly Supplementary Budget of over N100b in 2012 for fuel subsidy.
“Is the sustenance of the so-called (the late) General (Sani) Abacha $10 per barrel- sealing of Production Sharing Contract (PSC) formula of deep offshore Oil Wells not questionable? For Nigerians would wish to know why only $10 per barrel is paid into the Federation Account, even when Crude Oil sells for over $100 per barrel. What a grave injustice to Nigerians?
“Or do we page with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, that NNPC is ATM of PDP-led Federal Government?”
