The House of Representatives received a petition today urging a review of the South East slot in the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), currently occupied by Sophia Mbakwe.
The petition, submitted by Ezi Umuada Igbo, a prominent socio-cultural association, allegedly claimed that Mbakwe, who is from a non-South East state, is occupying a position meant for a representative of the region, reports The Guardian.
The petition was formally laid before the House by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikenga Ugochinyere, during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In the petition, the group commended the president for considering an Igbo woman for a strategic national role but expressed concern that the appointment of Mbakwe as the South East representative violates the Federal Character Principle enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The document argued that the provision requires that appointments in public service reflect Nigeria’s federal character, ensuring national unity and preventing marginalisation of any group or region.
The petition reads in part: “While we wholeheartedly appreciate His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for considering an Igbo woman worthy of inclusion in such a strategic national position, we must respectfully but firmly express our concern that the said appointee, Ms. Mbakwe, is not from the South East region and therefore cannot validly represent the zone in accordance with the Federal Character Principle enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“This constitutional provision clearly mandates that appointments into the public service of the Federation shall reflect the federal character of Nigeria, promoting national unity and ensuring that no group or region is marginalised in the governance of the nation.
“The inclusion of a non-South East indigene in a position specifically designated to represent our region is a clear deviation from this principle.”
The association urged the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and all relevant authorities to review the appointment and ensure that a “qualified daughter of the South East is considered for the position.”
It was observed that the South East boasts of numerous capable, sophisticated, and vibrant women who are suitably qualified to occupy such strategic positions in national institutions.
The House of Representatives is expected to carry out a thorough investigation into the petition in the coming weeks.
