Insiders have reacted to the Ibe Kachukwu, Maikanti Baru feud. Most of them are of the opinion that the President needs to rise beyond sectional proclivities if he is to put an end to these personalities or institutional squabbles that is typical of his government.

“Ibe Kachukwu has acted in a proper way; escalate the situation to the chief executive of the government. The way President Buhari handles the situation will go a long a way. If Ibe Kachukwu is forced to resign from government, Buhari’s government stands to lose a lot,” said an Insider.

Another Insider also stated that, “The situation gives credence to those who have always seen the President as a sectional leader. When the President won the election in 2015, the first ever interview he granted in the U.S. where he had an interactive section with some people, he was asked if he was going to run a collective government and his answer before the world was that those who voted for him cannot be seen to be treated the same way as those who did not vote for him. People might ignore that particular gaffe, but it is instructive that even in his words, in his actions, appointments, in his dealings with Nigerians, he has shown beyond every reasonable doubt that he is a sectional leader”. This Insider with the PDP further stated that “By the setting up of the NNPC, award of contracts above $10million need to go to the NNPC board, of which Ibe Kachukwu is the Chairman as the Minister of State for Petroleum, and from his revelation, this particular GMD of the NNPC has continually flouted that rule, Kachikwu made the claim that he has written, called the GMD, spoken to him that things should be done properly. Don’t forget that Kachikwu is not a politician; he is a professional who ran Exxon Mobile as its MD. This is a man with a standard on governance in the corporate world, it is not about being a card-carrying member of any political party. There is a basic standard that is expected in government. He said he has been trying to see the President for a long time, which actually should worry every Nigerian. It says a lot about the government that the President is running, that the APC is running. People who are not seen as coming from a particular part of the country are treated as outsiders. Let us say the truth, this is a northern government,” he concluded.

Another Insider stated, “This is a failed government. Intra-agency and personality clashes have made nonsense of the Buhari government. There are too many shoddy deals going on. Unfortunately, the President has no presence of mind dealing with them. We have to manage this appalling state of governance till the next election when there will be an opportunity to kick them out.”

“The whole thing is absurd. I will put the whole blame on Mr. President. He’s the substantive minister of Petroleum and as such cannot claim ignorance of what is going on under his nose as the overall head. Within the petroleum ministry, the GMD does not have the singular authority or power to award and approve any deal or contract that is above 20 million dollars not to talk of 25 billion dollars (9 trillion naira). Approving and awarding any contract that is above 20 million dollars is subject to necessary clearance from NNPC board where Ibe Kachikwu is the Chairman. As the Chairman, he has duly informed the President and the whole world. By now one will expect that the GMD of NNPC should be on his way out for breaching laid down rules and procedures in a manner that is suspicious and outrageous. His temporary exit (suspension) will pave way for the needed investigation just like the former NIA boss. But as it appears, I think there are sacred cows within this federal government. You don’t them because they have immunity against corruption trial due to the shield they enjoy from powers that be. I wonder how long we are going to tow this inglorious path”.

These are members of the Political Insiders (Not all of whom participated in this issue)

Bukola Ogunyemi (NA), Amara Nwakpa (NA), Cheta Nwanze (NA), Seun Onigbinde (NA), Clarence Onyekwere (NA), Babatunde Ajileye (NA), Mark Amaza (NA), Saratu Abiola (NA), Henry Okelue (APC), Prince Deji Adeyanju (PDP), John Paul Akinduro (LP), Ebubedike Akabua (NA), Ikemesit Effiong (NA), Saatah Nubari (NA), Chinedu Ekeeke (NA), Abdul Mahmud (NA), Tunji Andrews (NA), Ileowo Kikiowo (APC), Ikenna Okonkwo (NA), Stanley Azuakola (NA), Gbenga Olorunpomi (APC), Rinsola Abiola (APC), Ayobami Oyalowo (APC), Oluseun Odewale (APC), Anthony Ehilebo (PDP), Emannuel Ojo (PDP)), Bimbo Oke (PDP), Abigail Anaba (NA), Tony ‘Pox’ Iribor (NA), Michael Orodare (LP), Henry Nwazuruahu (PDP), Ojugo ‘Ojay’ Onyelukachukwu (PDP), Viola Okoli (PDP), Ariyo Dare Atoye (PDP), Oraye Franklin (PDP), Lai Labode (NA), Akaebube (APGA), Aziza Uko (NA), Kayode Ajulo (LP).

Editor