Ugochinyere Criticized Over NNPCL Refinery Comments

Ikenga Ugochinyere, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Downstream Petroleum, has been criticized by Mustapha Mohammed, President of Tinubu Media Ambassadors (TMA), regarding his remarks on the rehabilitation of Nigeria's state-owned refineries. Ugochinyere expressed concerns about the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) not providing adequate information on the rehabilitation process.

He indicated that the committee had requested relevant documents and briefings from NNPCL's Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, and the executive vice-president for the downstream sector, warning that constitutional powers could be invoked if the information was not provided. In response, Mohammed stated that the NNPCL was following a federal government policy to revive the refineries and had not violated any legislation.

He criticized Ugochinyere for his previous support of former NNPCL CEO Mele Kyari, questioning the lawmaker's current stance and suggesting that political motives were behind the criticism, especially with the 2027 elections approaching.