Senator Adams Oshiomhole's description of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) as 'a bunch of criminals and thieves' has been met with widespread condemnation, including from his own colleagues in the Senate. Senator Adamu Aliero, former Kebbi State governor, described the statement as 'reckless' and argued that it could damage Nigeria's investment image internationally, noting that 'the NNPC is the cash cow of this country. Such reckless statements could damage Nigeria's investment image internationally.'
The former labour leader, who cut his teeth as a staffer in a textile mill, now sits in the Senate and has made this claim. However, it appears driven more by political sentiments than reality. It is important to be circumspect in impugning the integrity of public institutions that our commonwealth depends on, without the benefit of all information.
Hearteningly, the Senate formally dissociated itself from Oshiomhole's comments. On Thursday, 11 June, the upper legislative chamber, through a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, condemned the remarks as 'an unwarranted attack on the character of public officers.' The Senate declared that the remarks 'do not represent the official position, resolution, finding or determination of the Senate as an institution.'
Ranking legislators, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, also cautioned the former Edo State governor against 'making defamatory remarks that could undermine the integrity of public institutions.' Several colleagues demanded that Oshiomhole publicly withdraw his statement.
To backtrack, the Senate committee had summoned Umar Ajiya, NNPC's former Chief Financial Officer, during whose testimony he put to rest the unrealistic figure of a missing ₦210 trillion that some senators had been bandying about. According to Ajiya, the total revenue earned by NNPC during the entire period in question (2017 to 2023) was ₦54.5 trillion. So how can ₦210 trillion be missing? The figure is mathematically impossible and is not supported by any cash flow records. As Ajiya explained, the alleged 'missing' sum is nearly four times the entire revenue earned. He even revealed that the company actually spent ₦2.9 billion, not ₦5.8 billion, to complete its registration with the CAC and FIRS. He then threw down a gauntlet: call the EFCC and the NFIU to conduct a forensic investigation, and arrest and jail anyone found guilty. That does not sound like the language of a thief.
Many Nigerians, some lawmakers among them, prefer sound bites over substance. Rather than intelligently review audit queries, they play to the gallery. The subsequent Senate plenary made it clear that no committee possesses the independent authority to issue or execute an arrest warrant without the express approval of the Senate President. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele warned: 'The power to issue a warrant affecting the liberty of a citizen is an extraordinary statutory power which must be exercised strictly in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.' He further stated: 'The constitutional doctrine of fair hearing and the presumption of innocence require that no person or institution be adjudged guilty, except by a court of competent jurisdiction after due process of law.'
Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno described the motion as a necessary intervention to preserve the credibility of the legislature, noting that it would be 'contradictory for lawmakers to make laws for national governance while simultaneously violating those same laws.' Senator Abba Moro emphasised that: 'We should not make statements that seek to impugn the character of public officers or individuals in society.'
While it is easy to call out others for purported wrongdoing, one should equally be sure of living above board before doing so. Some of those making claims about NNPC's leadership have not shown the best of judgment in their public acts of engaging in physical altercations with airline and airport staff, while obstructing other passengers. This was a conduct unbecoming of a senior citizen and ranking politician. There are also other allegations of graft and official corruption, which have not been discharged through the judicial process, in addition to serious indecency in public utterances, including a highly insensitive remark that mocked a childless couple just because of political disagreement.
However, in his defence before the Senate plenary, Oshiomhole claimed that his comments were made under provocation. 'I acted under provocation because distinguished members were being attacked without any proof of the allegations being made,' he said. 'If it is the view of the Senate that I should apologise, I have no problem with that.' He insisted he was merely defending the integrity of the Senate and its members. But his colleagues were not convinced. Senator Adamu Aliero described the statement as 'reckless' and argued that it could damage Nigeria's investment image internationally.
Beyond public umbrage lies a far more urgent matter. Umar Ajiya warned that unverified allegations damage not just individuals but the entire nation. He said that unfounded claims do real damage. International rating agencies use public information to assess countries. When inaccurate figures circulate without verification, it can affect perceptions and even influence financing decisions. He recalled how an unpatriotic Nigerian once wrote a petition to the Chinese government, which stalled a $2.5 billion loan for the AKK gas pipeline project. That project remains incomplete because of this sort of behaviour.
NNPC Ltd is now preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), with plans to list on leading international exchanges, including New York and London. As the company moves towards an IPO, foreign investors will scrutinise not only its books but also the media and political environment in which it operates. A word is enough for the wise. Senator Oshiomhole would do well to remember that every comment made still echoes long after the cameras have been switched off. And that could be a great disservice if such comment turns out to be untrue. Our children will all live with the consequences of what we do today. Nigeria's prosperity is tied to that of NNPCL and the senator from Edo North should not forget that the oil company remains the cash cow of this country. Those who wish to slaughter the cow should not be surprised when there is no milk left for their own children.
