Ndu Advocates Legalization of Cottage Refineries in Nigeria

Yahaya Ndu, a former presidential candidate of the defunct African Renaissance Party, has urged the Federal Government to legalize artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta region. He stated that enhancing local refining capacity is crucial for resolving Nigeria's energy crisis, rather than focusing on fuel subsidy debates.

In an interview, Ndu condemned the government's destruction of over 5,000 cottage refineries, labeling the discussions about restoring fuel subsidies as an insult to Nigerians. He advocated for the legalization of these refineries, suggesting that the government should assist operators, monitor their activities, and provide access to crude oil and technology.

Ndu also emphasized the importance of political equity, urging major political parties to allocate presidential tickets to candidates from the South-East, drawing parallels to the political consensus following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election. He expressed concerns about security challenges and proposed that state police should be managed by traditional rulers and community leaders to prevent political abuse.