Daud Olatunji
08 February 2012, Sweetcrude, ABEOKUTA—The Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, Gbenga Obadara, has called for resignation of the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, to allow fair probe into the ministry’s activities.
Obadara, who represents Ogun Central Senatorial District, spoke in Abeokuta, Tuesday, after a visit to his constituency. He said the Petroleum Minister should step aside so as to pave way for a genuine probe of the ministry under her watch.
He said: “The woman is not supposed to be on that seat pending the outcome of investigations into activities of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.
“I am not saying that she is guilty but from the series of revelations coming from the probe, she is not innocent, she ought to resign honourably as a decent person.
“I think when speaking of corruption, it is her ministry that is highly endemic in that aspect, so let her go or be re-assigned by the President to a less sensitive ministry, if Mr. President still wants her in his cabinet.
“In these days when the clamour for probity and accountability are being demanded from our public office holders. Nigerians expect Mr. President to have asked the Petroleum Minister to step aside over the oil subsidy removal scam.
“The Petroleum Minister must leave office,at least for now to clear herself. That is what is obtainable in civilised societies of the world.”
