Senator and former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole celebrated the resignation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed and Mr. Gbenga Komolafe from Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory leadership, calling their exit necessary for the country’s economic survival. Senator David Jimkuta of Taraba South supported him, joining in the celebration while questioning the new nominees’ policy intentions.
The comments were made during the Senate screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for CEO of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan and Engr. Saidu Aliyu Mohammed. The appointments followed the resignations of the 2021 appointees amid controversies over policies favoring importation over local refining.
Oshiomhole criticized the former leadership, stressing that job creation comes from supporting domestic, labor-intensive industries, not importation. He urged the new nominees to prioritize national interest and protect Nigerian workers and local refineries.
He commended President Tinubu for decisive action, noting it renewed hope for Nigerians reliant on the petroleum sector. Jimkuta pressed the nominees to clarify their reform strategies and restore public confidence.
