Imo can better be described as a State in enmeshed in turmoil as various degrees of crisis has bedeviled the state in serial order with latest ones leading to the current governor Hope Uzodinma, digressing from the widely advertised “naming of criminality sponsors in the State” to warning former governor Rochas Okorocha, for continuously challenging his office as the incumbent governor of the State.
It could be recalled that on the January 4, 2022, Governor Hope Uzodinma, while addressing the Imo state stakeholders, took an exception and with an emotion laden voice issued a strong warning to Okorocha, demanding that he (Okorocha) should stop distracting his administration and as such allow him to render his governorship services to Imo people.
He further inform that Okorocha is the only former governor of the State while insisting that the difference between Okorocha and other former governors; Achike Udenwa, Godson Ikedi Ohakim and Emeka Ihedioha, is that while others have towed the part of honour as Statesmen, Okorocha has continued to challenge the authorities of the new administration.
Uzodinma, also stated that as an elder brother to Okorocha, custom demands that he (Okorocha) gives him respect as his senior and stop attempting to wield undue influence on his administration from outside the field.
In the same line of misfortune, President Muhammadu Buhari had last Wednesday, probably as New Year gift, dropped Ifeanyi Ararume as chairman of the board of the newly incorporated Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and appointed Margret Chuba Okadigbo, as a replacement.
The development was contained in a release by the Special Adviser to the president on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina on Wednesday.
The release was, however, silent on why the President dropped Ararume who was earlier appointed as chairman of the board of NNPC but many have attributed the ugly development to power play between the current Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma and Chief Ifeanyi Ararume.
The appointment of the board and management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited was according to release, in accordance with the power vested on the President, under Section 59(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.
It could be recalled, the President Buhari, had on September 19, 2021, announced Ararume’s appointment but a statement from the office of the secretary to the government of the federation announced the suspension of the inauguration of the new board without providing any reason.
The new appointment also had Mele Kyari, retaining his position as Chief Executive Officer, while Umar Ajiya, is the Chief Financial Officer.
lso on the new board, are; Tajudeen Umar (North-East), Lami Ahmed (North-Central), Mohammed Lawal (North West), Henry Obih (South-East), Constance Marshal (South-South), and Pius Akinyelure (South-West).
“The appointments take effect from the date of the incorporation of the NNPC Limited,” the release further stated.
Also appointed are executive commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. They include Nuhu Habib (Kano), executive commissioner, Development and Production, Kelechi Ofoegbu (Imo), executive commissioner, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning, Tonlagha John (Delta), executive commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment, and Community, while Jide Adeola (Kogi), is the executive commissioner, Corporate Services and Administration.
The President had earlier appointed the board chairman, CEO, executive commissioner, Exploration and Acreage Management, and executive commissioner, Finance and Accounts, for the commission,
The President also announced new appointees at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. They include Francis Ogaree (Rivers), executive director, Hydrocarbon Processing, Mustapha Lamorde (Adamawa); executive director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community; Mansur Kuliya (Kano), executive director, Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund; Bashir Sadiq (Sokoto), executive director, Corporate Services and Administration, and Zainab Gobir (Kwara), executive director, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning.
They join the board chairman, executive director, Downstream Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, the CEO, and executive director, Finance and Accounts, who had earlier been appointed.
For Midstream and Downstream Infrastructure Fund, the President appointed new council members, including Effiong Abia (Akwa Ibom), Bobboi Ahmed (Adamawa), and Abdullahi Bukar (Katsina).
It would be recalled that President Buhari had last September written the Senate on the administrative structure amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act, which included the appointment of non-executive board members, removal of the ministries of petroleum and finance from the board of the two new institutions, and appointment of executive directors.
