$25b deals row: Presidency, NNPC board call for ceasefire

 

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) boss Dr. Maikanti Baru have been advised to stop their bitter row over the award of $25b contracts – one week after it all began.

The Presidency and the NNPC Board ordered a ceasefire, The Nation learnt yesterday.

As the row grew, some observers thought the minister would throw in the towel. But Dr Kachikwu is believed to have ruled out resignation from the cabinet because of his “deep respect for President Muhammadu Buhari, who he insisted is a clean leader”.

Kachikwu, who was said to have gone to the Presidential Villa with a letter of resignation last Friday, has shelved the move in the “larger interest of the nation”.

As part of the peace deal, there are moves to urge the Senate to have a “second opinion” on its decision to look at the disputed contracts.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said he did not sign contracts worth N640billion while the President was on medical leave.

Some government officials and NNPC board members have met separately with Kachikwu and Baru on the need to “reconcile” and save the oil industry from unnecessary tension.

An NNPC board source said: “We are now trying to de-escalate  the crisis of confidence between the Minister and the GMD. We do not want tension within the system again.

“Some of us have met with the two leaders in the oil industry on the need to reconcile and sustain the gains in the sector.

“This is why we do not want  Kachikwu either sacked or dropped from the Federal Executive Council(FEC). The issues raised by both parties can be addressed without further problem.

Share: