Though the number of individuals and groups calling for the resignation of the current minister of state for petroleum resources, Ibe Kachikwu is swelling by day, with the latest being the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu has in a widely publicised statement on Saturday slammed the minister and asked him to apologise to Nigerians over the statement that was credited to him, where he insisted he is not a magician that will turn the state of the current fuel scarcity around overnight and that the situation may linger till May.
The APC chieftain went further to query Kachikwu’s competence and capacity to deliver on the change programme in the petroleum sector, insisting that the minister spoke in error and that his statements has instead of solving the problem, compounded the fuel scarcity situation across the country.
Tinubu who could no longer bear and/or hide his disappoitment with the system lamented that, “The fuel shortage is severely biting for the average person. They are forced to remain in lines for too long – for too much time – to pay too much money for too little fuel. This is no joking matter. Livelihoods and people’s welfare is at stake.
“With so much on the line Kachikwu’s flippancy was out-of-line. He was basically telling Nigerians that they are getting the inadequate supply they now suffer and that they should just be quiet and endure the shortage for several weeks more.
“It insulted the people by its tonality. He spoke with the imperious nature of a member of the elitist govery the people voted out last year and not the progressive one they voted in.”
One then wonders whether, Kachikwu is the substantive minister, that he will be crucified for his factual comments that are free of political gimmics common with politicians, who are fond of twisting facts and raising false hope.
By the way, as minister of state, can Kachikwu act, speak or embark on any policy without the approval of the substantive minister of petroleum resources and president of the country, Muhammadu Buhari? No. It is not possible.
Kachikwu has distant himself so far by not playing politics but saying it as it is. He should instead be commended for sticking to the change mantra and not mixing facts with fictions.
If we must call a spade a spade, the buck stops on the table of President Buhari. He is the minister of the petroleum resources. Therefore, without mincing words those calling for Kachikwu’s resignation should be bold enough to direct same to the president, who actually has the final say about the activities of the ministry.
President Buhari, being the minister of petroleum, need to live up to his responsibilities at this critical time, apologise to Nigerians and make a policy statement that will douse the current tension and save Nigerians the unbearable suffering.
Tinubu on his part, has only compounded the issue and let the cat out of the bag. His statement has revealed the trouble within the ruling party and his frustration in putting the house in order as the National leader of his party. He played a major role in imposing this ‘change’ upon Nigerians. He, therefore, owes Nigerians who voted his party into power apology. Because this is definitely not the change Nigerians were expecting and not the system they voted for.
Instead of heaping blame on Kachikwu for his innocent and a helpless comments, Tinubu and other party faithfuls should begin to find a lasting lasting solution to the lingering fuel crisis.
