Tinubu Doesn’t Delegate Finance Officer to Present Budget — Oshiomhole Hits NNPCL

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its handling of budget presentations before the National Assembly, insisting that the company must respect legislative oversight.

Speaking during a committee hearing at the National Assembly, Oshiomhole argued that President Bola Tinubu personally presents matters of national importance and does not delegate a finance officer to present the Federal Government’s annual budget.

According to the former Edo State governor, the NNPCL appears to be acting as though it is above the nation’s institutions despite being an agency of government.

He said the company must recognise that it is accountable to the National Assembly, whose members were elected by Nigerians to exercise oversight on behalf of the people.

Oshiomhole questioned why top officials of the national oil company repeatedly failed to appear before lawmakers, alleging that excuses such as illness and medical certificates had become common.

He said, “Even the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, does not delegate his finance officer to present the annual budget, which is prepared by financial experts. He personally addresses the Senate President, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives because we have three independent arms of government.

“If Tinubu can leave the Presidential Villa to appear before the legislature, I have issues with why the NNPCL thinks it is too big. They say they are bedridden and have medical certificates. I pray they will not remain bedridden for too long so that the country can move on.”

The senator maintained that the NNPCL should not conduct itself as though it is superior to the elected representatives of the Nigerian people.

He stressed that the National Assembly has the constitutional responsibility to scrutinise the activities of government agencies and public institutions.

“I think the NNPCL is forgetting that it is an agency of government, while we are representatives of the people.

“You cannot behave as if you are above the representatives of the people. I refuse to believe that the NNPCL is bigger than the system,” Oshiomhole stated.

The remarks came amid renewed scrutiny of the operations and accountability of the national oil company by lawmakers.