Reps receive petition to sack NNPCL vice president over federal character breach

Reps receive petition to sack NNPCL vice president over federal character breach

The House of Representatives has received a petition from an Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ezi Umuada Igbo, seeking the removal of Mrs. Sophia Mbakwe, Executive Vice President (Business Services) at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), over an alleged violation of the federal character principle.

The petition, presented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikenga Ugochinyere, claimed that Mbakwe occupies a position meant for the South-East region in the company’s management but is not an indigene of the zone.

Addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, the group urged lawmakers to investigate her appointment and ensure compliance with Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which promotes fair representation of all regions in federal appointments.

While appreciating President Bola Tinubu for appointing an Igbo woman to a strategic position, the petitioners insisted that the selection undermines the principle of equity and fair representation.

They described the appointment as a “clear breach of constitutional provisions on balanced representation” and called for the position to be reassigned to a qualified woman from the South-East.

The petition has been referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions for investigation.

This development adds to growing concerns over alleged disregard for the federal character policy in key federal appointments, especially within the oil and gas sector.

The NNPCL, now operating as a limited liability company under the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, maintains a management structure meant to reflect Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and promote inclusiveness.

The committee is expected to begin hearings on the petition in the coming weeks.