Some powerful forces are said to be behind the appointment of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as Chairman, Board of management, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the appointment of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, as Chairman, Board and Management of the NNPC limited.
Mele Kolo Kyari and Umar I. Ajiya were appointed Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, respectively.
“Other Board Members are; Dr Tajudeen Umar (North East), Mrs Lami O. Ahmed (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West), Senator Margaret Chuba Okadigbo (South East), Barrister Constance Harry Marshal (South South), and Chief Pius Akinyelure (South West)” a statement signed by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina stated
A serving Minister from the South- South and one of the trusted allies of President Muhammadu Buhari, is fingered to be the man behind the scenes and who allegedly influenced Araraume’s appointment.
Sources said the appointment, which has rattled some political bigheads in Imo State, is said to be preparatory ground for Araraume, to be part of the presidential train of the serving Minister.
The Minister who was a former governor was the back bone for President Buhari’s ascendancy to the Presidency in 2015 and his re election in 2023.
The same Minister was instrumental to the removal of former Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman.
Araraume’s appointment had stirred several political interpretations as concerns mount that Araraume, who has been tagged a serial governorship aspirant, may set his sights on the governorship seat of the state in 2024.
“NNPC is a not a small fish. And we know how these appointments come by.
“Anyone who sits on the Board of the NNPC must have earned the overwhelming confidence of Mr.President.
“If the President deems it appropriate to appoint Senator Araraume as Chairman of the NNPC Board, then it means President Buhari holds Senator Araraume and other members of the Board in high esteem
“Aside this, the NNPC is a cash cow and only those who are either inner members of the president’s circle or trusted allies get such appointments” said Gabriel Onyekuru, a political analyst who spoke to INNONEWS in Owerri.
