Presidency Defends Tinubu's Executive Order on NNPC Revenue

The Nigerian presidency has responded to criticism from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) regarding President Bola Tinubu's executive order that stops revenue deductions from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). PENGASSAN staged a protest in Abuja, accusing the presidency of violating the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and undermining the operational independence of NNPCL.

In response, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga stated that the union's criticism reflects a misunderstanding of constitutional supremacy and the legal framework underpinning the executive order. He emphasized that the order is rooted in Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the president executive powers, and Section 44(3), which vests ownership and control rights in the federal government.

The presidency maintains that the order is essential to plug revenue leakages and ensure that funds are constitutionally allocated to the three tiers of government, countering claims that it undermines the PIA.