Amidst a growing fuel scarcity and skyrocketing transportation costs across Nigeria, senior lawyer and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, has called for President Bola Tinubu to relinquish his position as Minister of Petroleum Resources.
In an interview with Punch, Agbakoba expressed concern over the President’s dual role in both the presidency and the petroleum sector, suggesting that it is unnecessary for the Nigerian President to hold the portfolio of petroleum. Agbakoba argued that this dual role creates a negative perception and is not beneficial to the country’s governance.
“It is the same issue,” Agbakoba said when discussing government interference in the economy. “The President shouldn’t be involved in petroleum. It gives the wrong impression that President Tinubu is the Minister of Petroleum Resources.”
He further questioned the rationale behind Nigerian presidents traditionally holding the petroleum portfolio, proposing that the President could instead take on a different critical role, such as Minister of Health. “Why not the Minister of Health? It’s not only about President Tinubu. Why does the Nigerian president always hold the portfolio of petroleum? It is not necessary.”
Agbakoba also highlighted the broader implications of the ongoing fuel crisis, noting that while Nigerians are committed to the country, the persistent issues in the petroleum industry are causing frustration. “There is a critical problem in the petroleum industry. If you ask Nigerians if they want to be in Nigeria, they will all say ‘yes, but’. It is that ‘but’ that President Tinubu must resolve. Nobody wants Nigeria to fail,” he stated.
The senior lawyer’s call comes as the country grapples with severe fuel shortages and unprecedented price hikes, which have significantly impacted transportation costs and overall economic stability. Agbakoba’s comments reflect growing public discontent and a call for leadership changes to address the ongoing challenges in the petroleum sector.
