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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Joint Committee on Petroleum Resources covering the downstream and midstream segments has intervened to defuse fresh tensions in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

The intervention followed rising public concerns, allegations and counter-allegations involving the Dangote Refinery Group and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The committee summoned both sides to appear before it to present their grievances and ordered an immediate halt to media exchanges until its inquiry is concluded. Lawmakers said the investigation would be fast-tracked and resolved within days.

The joint committees, chaired by Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Rep. Henry Okogie, disclosed the decision after an emergency meeting convened in response to what they described as mounting tensions that could threaten the fragile stability recently restored in the sector. They noted that concerns had been raised by several stakeholders across the industry.

The lawmakers explained that the swift action was necessary to prevent the situation from escalating further, particularly at a time when both government and industry players are working to stabilise fuel supply, pricing and regulatory oversight in the post-subsidy environment.

Ugochinyere said: “The key issue that necessitated this emergency meeting was the growing tension that has returned to the downstream sector as a result of concerns and allegations raised by Alhaji Aliko Dangote against the NMDPRA.

“This is coming at a time when the committee is jealously guarding the stability that has been achieved in the sector.”

He said the committee resolved to formally invite both the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and the leadership of the NMDPRA to appear before it and provide detailed explanations on the issues fueling the dispute so that the committees can come out with the needed decisions and resolutions that will resolve the matter.

The lawmaker explained that only a clear understanding of the underlying problems will enable the National Assembly broker lasting solutions without fear or favour.

“We can only find sustainable solutions when we identify the critical issues leading to this tension. That is why the committee resolved to write to Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the NMDPRA chief to meet with us and give insights into what is driving these allegations and counter-allegations,” he added.

In a firm move to calm the situation, the committee also appealed to both parties to halt public exchanges and media comments while legislative intervention is ongoing.

“We resolved to plead with the contending parties to cease fire, especially media comments, so that the situation does not escalate furthe.

“The committee has the capacity to wade into this matter and find solutions once and for allr,” Ugochinyere noted.

He revealed that the committee has already received petitions touching on critical industry concerns, including the issuance of import licences and questions around whether domestic refineries have the capacity to meet Nigeria’s daily petroleum needs.

“These are serious issues. Some relate to import licences, others to whether local refineries can produce enough to satisfy national demand which the investigation been undertaken by the committee will resolve” he said.

Ugochinyere emphasised that all outstanding matters will be thoroughly examined when key stakeholders in the refining and regulatory space appear before the committee.

“By the time Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the NMDPRA and other stakeholders meet with the committee, we will get the real gist of what is happening and come up with resolutions that provide sustainable solutions for the sector.

“We are pleading with them to cease further attacks on each other,whether from the regulatory agency or the refining community,while the committee sorts out these issues,” ,” he assured.

According to him, the decisions reflected the outcome of the committee’s closed-door deliberations.

The intervention comes amid heightened public scrutiny of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry, particularly as expectations remain high around local refining capacity, regulatory clarity and stable fuel supply.

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The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has directed the suspension of all actions relating to the proposed ban on sachet alcohol and 200ml pet bottles products, pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive.

In a statement issued on Monday, by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the OSGF disclosed that it received an official correspondence from the House of Representatives Committee on Food and Drugs Administration and Control, dated November 13, 2025. The letter, referenced NASS/10/HR/CT.53/77 and signed by the committee’s Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, addressed concerns surrounding the proposed enforcement of the ban by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

According to the OSGF, the correspondence highlights existing resolutions of the National Assembly on the matter and is currently under review in line with the office’s statutory coordinating role as Chairman of the Cabinet Secretariat.

“Accordingly, all actions, decisions, or enforcement measures relating to the proposed sachet alcohol ban are to be suspended pending the conclusion of consultations and the issuance of a final directive,” the statement said.

The OSGF further clarified that any enforcement action taken by NAFDAC or any other agency without due clearance and resolution by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation would be considered invalid and should be disregarded by the public until an official decision is communicated.

The office assured Nigerians that it is carefully examining all relevant factors, including legislative resolutions, economic implications, public health concerns, and the broader national interest, to ensure a balanced, lawful, and well-coordinated outcome.

The OSGF added that the public would be duly informed once a final position on the matter has been reached.

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa and Prosper Olayiwola

A former member of the House of Representatives and former deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Hon. (Comrade) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja has lent his voice in condemning land grabbing, describing it as an ille­gal acquisition of land through force, intimida­tion, or manipulation, a heinous crime he noted should be condemned in its entirety.

The foremost labour leader and astute politician who in May 2025 was appointed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as one of the members of Ondo State Task Force on Property Protection and Anti-Land Grabbing commended Ondo State government for taking decisive steps in nipping the menace in the bud no matter whose ox is gored.

Akinlaja while reiterating one of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s position on land grabbing said, “Land is more than just property. It is our heritage, a birthright, and the foundation of community identity. We will not stand by and allow criminal elements rob our people of what rightfully belongs to them.”

Highlighting the grave consequences of land grabbing, including the destruction of property and loss of lives, Akinlaja in chat with some newsmen at his Ondo residence on Monday emphasised the need for a collaborative approach in tackling this issue and further reiterated the commitment of the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration to eradicating land grabbing scourge and it’s devastating consequences.

According to him, to effectively tackle the men­ace of land grabbing, concerted efforts from the gov­ernment, law enforcement agen­cies, and the judiciary are required. Stronger institutional reforms, improved land registra­tion systems, public awareness, and stringent enforcement of land ownership laws are essential to safeguarding property rights and promoting economic growth in our country.

“Only through a comprehensive and collaborative approach can the devastating effects of land grabbing be mitigated, restoring peace, stability, and confidence in the land ownership system across board.

Continuing, Akinlaja said, “Land grabbing is driven by rapid urbanisa­tion, increasing land values, and weak enforcement of land owner­ship laws. This menace has far-reaching social and economic consequences, affecting property development, security, and public confidence in the legal system.

Unlike other states the leadership of Ondo State is leaving no stone unturned in stemming the tide and they must be commended for standing firm for justice, decency, peace and decorum.

“From my independent and patriotic research, I have discovered that land grabbing syndicates often involve powerful individ­uals and gangs known as “Omo Onile,” target legally owned land. These gangs employ tactics of harassment, violent eviction, and even fraudulent land sales to dis­possess rightful landowners.

“As we all know that in city centres and other fast-growing communities, the high demand for land has in­tensified disputes and conflicts, often leading to violent confronta­tions and displacement of rightful landowners.

Similarly, areas that are densely populated and in some instances where there are industrial estates, such juicy areas have become a prime target for these illegal activities. Land grabbers over there take the opportunity and liberty of exploiting legal and administrative loopholes to seize properties, un­dermining the economic growth of these areas. This is totally unacceptable.

“Recognising the severity of this issue, some states took legislative steps to curb land grabbing and impressively Ondo State is taking a lead in this. States that have taken bold steps by introducing Property Protection Law to crim­inalise the illegal occupation of land and to protect landowners from forcible eviction deserve to be commended and celebrated.

“It must also go beyond mere legislation, another setback that should be contended headlong is corrup­tion within the system, coupled with the power and influence of land-grabbing cartels, which has somewhat made it difficult to fully enforce the laws.

Judicial processes are often slow, and victims are left frustrated as they struggle to reclaim their land. This disappointing and frustrating situation also needs to be obliterated.

“In Ondo State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo is hands-on and doing brilliantly well. He is consistently blocking every loophole, making it grossly uncomfortable for land grabbers to survive in our state through the legitimate and unbiased use of instruments of the law. In addition, I am confident that the creation of the Task Force will help to re­solve numerous disputes, and the scale of the problems would be reduced drastically in Ondo State.”