Reps’ Integrity will be rubbished if Abbas’ leadership bows to pressure to abort forensic investigation of oil sector – ESRI

The Energy Sector Reform Initiative (ESRI) has decided that integrity of the Speaker Tajudeen Abbas-led House of Representatives will be rubbished if the green chamber bows to pressure from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to abort the forensic investigation of oil sector driven by the company.

The group in a statement urged the Speaker and the House generally to reduce the pressure it is being put under by the NNPCL under the leadership of Mallam Mele Kyari.

ESRI in a statement by its national coordinator Barr. Lawal Abu, said the reputation of the House was already at stake as the already disenchanted Nigerians were keenly watching to see if the House of would renege on its resolve to conduct a forensic audit into the oil sector piloted NNPCL.

“The integrity of the House of Representatives led by the Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas, Ph.D has come under serious test by Nigerians who are waiting to see if the Green Chamber which they hold in high esteem for legislative activism will bow to pressure from the the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to abort the forensic investigation into the oil sector which they are keenly waiting its outcome.

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“It is already in the public domain that the House of Representatives is being cajoled into aborting or abandoning the planned investigation which if properly conducted heads will roll.

“We are already aware that billions have been budgeted to induce the lawmakers to either rescind its decision to conduct the forensic investigation or give the national oil company’s management a soft landing by not indicting it where it is find guilty but blame other stakeholders.

“Mr Speaker whom we believed reads at least leading National Dailies everyday might have seen how 120 of his members under the banner of 1AGENDA placed an advertorial aimed at protecting NNPC.”