Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has welcomed the resignation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed and Mr. Gbenga Komolafe from Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory leadership, describing their departure as crucial to the country’s economic recovery and job creation drive.
Oshiomhole made the remarks on Thursday during the Senate screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the positions of Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Speaking during the session, the senator sharply criticized the former officials’ policy direction, accusing them of actions that, in his view, undermined local industry and encouraged import dependence at the expense of domestic jobs. He said the changes in leadership were long overdue and necessary to protect Nigeria’s economic interests.
Oshiomhole added that the resignation of Farouk Ahmed, who until recently served as Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA, marked a turning point in efforts to refocus the sector on local value creation and economic growth.
“He needed to be hanged.” In my previous statement, I said if you don’t hang him, he will change Nigeria because anyone who is opposed to jobs being created in Nigeria, who prefers importation, importing poverty here and exporting our prosperity abroad, does not deserve to live.”
“I want to see how his case will be. I am still going to be drunk tonight because of Farouk’s removal.”
Farouk Ahmed tendered his resignation about 24 hours before the Senate session, amid public scrutiny and ongoing debate over regulatory performance in the oil and gas sector.
The senator’s comments come against the backdrop of wider national discussions on economic policy, job creation, and the need to strengthen local industry participation in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
