By Gideon Njoku
In a surprise appointment that is bound to reverberate in Imo State, President Muhammadu Buhari has empowered Senator Ifeanyi Ararume. He has appointed him the Chairman of the Board of the just incorporated Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd.
Along with former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha,
Senator Ararume belongs to a faction of the All Progressives Cogress, APC, Imo State, that does not agree with the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Members of the faction never took part in the membership registration and revalidation exercise of the party, nor the Congress. They were not also present during President Buhari’s recent visit to Imo State.
It had been taken for granted that they have, on their own, quit the party and looking elsewhere, possibly the PDP, as 2023 approaches.
But Ararume’s high profile appointment puts a question mark on the assumptions, as did Okorocha’s visit to Buhari with his son a few days ago where they took photographs with Mr President.
Buhari also remembered his long time friend, late Senator Chuba Okadigbo, by appointing his wife, Senator Margery Okadigbo as a member of the Board. Just as he emphasised the influence of APC Chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by including his right hand man, Pius Akinyelure on the Board.
Announcing the commencement of the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina said Buhari has directed that the NNPC be incorporated. Buhari is the Minister of Petroleum Resources.
Adesina: “President Muhammadu Buhari in his capacity as the Minister for Petroleum Resources has directed the incorporation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
“This is in consonants with Section 53(1) of the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021 which requires the Minister of Petroleum Resources to cause for the incorporation of the NNPC Limited within six months of commencement of the Act in consultation with the Minister of Finance on the nominal shares of the Company.
“The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr Mele Kolo Kyari, has therefore been directed to take necessary steps to ensure that the incorporation of the NNPC Limited is consistent with the provisions of PIA 2021.
“Also, by the power vested in him under Section 52 (2) of the PIA 2021, President Buhari has approved the appointment of the Board and Management of the NNPC Limited with effect from the date of incorporation of the Company.
“Chairman of the Board is Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, while Mele Kolo Kyari and Umar I. Aliyu are Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, respectively.
“Other Board Members are Dr Tajudeen Umar (North East), Mrs Lami O. Ahmed (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West), Senator Margery Chuba Okadigbo (South-east), Barrister Constance Harry Marshal( South-south), and Chief Pius Akinyelure ( South-west).”
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