The House of Representatives has agreed to look into a petition questioning the authenticity of the South East representation on the management team of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
Lawmakers took the decision on Thursday after Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere laid a petition from Ezi Umuada Igbo, a well-known socio-cultural group of Igbo women at home and abroad. The group is asking the Federal Government to remove Mrs Sophia Mbakwe, the Executive Vice President, Business Services, on the grounds that she is allegedly not from the region she is meant to represent.
According to the petition addressed to the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the group argued that the appointment violated the Federal Character Principle, which is meant to assure fair representation across all geopolitical zones.
The petition partly read: “We appreciate Mr President for finding an Igbo woman worthy of serving in such an important national position. However, our concern is that Mrs Mbakwe is not from the South East and cannot validly represent the zone in line with Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution.”
Ezi Umuada Igbo insisted that the South East is not short of capable and competent women who can hold the position. The group added: “We urge the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and relevant authorities to revisit this appointment and ensure that a qualified daughter of the South East is considered.”
The House has referred the matter to the relevant committees for further legislative review and action.
