"I Did Not Exercise Powers of OIil Minister While Buhari Was Away",...OSINBAJO

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The simmering differences between two prominent figures in the Buhari led administration seems to be abating as more facts have emerged.

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria's Number Two citizen has come out to say why he asked the Group Managing Director of the country's oil major, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru to report to the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, when President Muhammadu Buhari was on medical vacation.



The VP, while speaking on Friday at the "Greater Nigeria Pastors Conference" organised by the coalition of Apostolic leaders, disclosed that, while Buhari was away on medical vacation, he did not exercise the power of the Petroleum Minister.

Osinbajo, responding to the allegations raised by Kachikwu in his controversial memo to Buhari, whereby he (Kachikwu) had accused Baru of insubordination and alleged that the GMD awarded contracts worth $25 billion without consulting the Governing Board of the Corporation.

Although the Petroleum Resources Minister of State later recanted.

Osinbajo, while making reference to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), said the consent of the NNPC Board was not needed in the award of contracts.

“In the oil and gas sectors, we have the NNPC as our national oil company. Kachikwu was both the Minister of State and NNPC boss at a time".

“The GMD reports to the Minister, who is the President. It is possible that the GMD reports to the President directly".

“When I was the acting president, I was not the Minister of Petroleum. I could ask Baru to report to the Minister of State. Is it the Board of the NNPC or the NNPC Tenders Board that approves contract? I had asked.

The answer given by the Bureau of Public Procurement is that it is the Tenders Board, Osinbajo stated.

“There could be conflicts between ministries. The only reason it became an issue was that it came to the public. NNPC law says that the President approves the contract that exceeds a certain amount".

“In the previous law, it could be taken to the council of ministers. When it was amended, it is the President that approves and it may not come to the Federal Executive Council", the VP explained.

The Vice President who also denied allegations on the imbalance in federal appointments said the appointments reflected federal character and were based on merit.

He said this while speaking on the theme; "Towards a better Nigeria".

The Vice President also used the opportunity to commend the efforts of the Acting Chairman of the anti corruption agency; the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu in fighting corruption in the nation.

“Magu is a highly competent figure. His fight against corruption has been unprecedented. We must insist on merit, which many people don’t believe in. Merit must come before quota", he said.