Resign Now; Onuesoke Tells NNPC Boss, Backs Kachikwu

The ongoing faceoff between the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru has continued to attract attention from Nigerians and stakeholders.


Adding his voice to fray is prominent Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain and one time Governorship Aspirant in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke.

Reacting to the controversy arising from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Kachikwu's leaked letter to President Buhari, Chief Onuesoke, in a press statement signed by his Media aide, Stanley Efe, the PDP Chieftain asked NNPC Boss, Dr. Maikanti Baru to immediately tender his resignation and submit himself to security and anti-graft agencies for proper investigation.

Chief Onuesoke also called on President Buhari to save the NNPC and the country’s oil and gas industry from total collapse arising from non-transparent practices and fraud as noted by Dr. Ibe Kachikwu's letter.

"President Buhari is widely known and seen as an anti-corruption czar. This case will be a litmus test. We are watching to see how APC will handle this allegations of fraud and high-headedness against the NNPC Boss".

"President Buhari should order as a matter of urgency, the suspension of the recent appointments and promotions in NNPC carried out by Baru. This will send a clear signal of transparency and honesty in the anti-corruption drive of Mr. President".

"Baru should be compelled to resign and made to face EFCC. There should be no sacred cows", the statement read.

"I also commend the patriotic stand of Ibe Kachikwu for standing for truth and not yielding to intimidation and blackmails. APC should not give these grave allegations ethnic colouration. The issues raised by Kachikwu's letter should be looked into holistically and given appropriate, utmost consideration to serve as a deterrent to others", the statement noted.


It would be recalled that, in a confidential memo sent to President Buhari, which was later leaked to the press, Ibe Kachikwu accused NNPC Boss, Dr. Baru of awarding contracts amounting to $24 Billion without following due process or the input of NNPC Board.

Kachukwu, in the letter listed the contracts awarded by the NNPC Boss to include $10 billion crude term contracts, $5 billion direct sales direct purchase (DSDP) contracts, $3 billion AKK pipeline contract, financing allocation funding contracts worth $3 billion; and NPDC production service contracts valued at $3-$4 billion.