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.