Governors of the 36 states of the federation have condemned Nigeria’s continued dependence on the importation of petroleum to meet its local demands of fuel consumption.

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, who spoke to newsmen on behalf of his colleagues after the meeting of the Governors, which also had in attendance the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, said it is an aberration for Nigeria as an oil-producing country to be importing fuel.

The Governors called for the repair of the refineries in the country to make petroleum products more available and affordable to Nigerians and alleviate the suffering in the land.

They also called for support for Dangote Refinery.

Uzodinma said, “We must encourage the homegrown solution that the President just introduced; encouraging Dangote Refinery. We should repair our Port Harcourt Refinery, repair our Warri Refinery, repair our Kaduna Refinery, and then produce what we eat, and eat what we produce.

“We shouldn’t rely on importation of crude oil. For me, it is an aberration in the first place, to rely on importation of petroleum products as an oil producing country, while other members of OPEC of our status are now refining crude oil in that country.”

The Governors supported the move to purchase petroleum products in naira, adding that local refining of petroleum products would open an avalanche of opportunities for the citizens and boost the country’s economy through employment and other benefits.

“If you refine petroleum products locally, you will cure jobs, you will cure unemployment, you will keep people busy, you will reduce crime, and then you will also be proud to answer an oil producing nation,” he said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the successful prosecution of four former governors and two former ministers over the past 12 months under the leadership of Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede.

During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede, represented by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, highlighted the commission’s significant achievements in asset recovery and fraud prevention.

He stated that high-profile figures charged include former governors Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra), and Darius Ishaku (Taraba) for serious allegations involving billions in state funds.

Bello faces charges related to over N190 billion, Ishaku and a former official for N27 billion, Ahmed and his former finance commissioner for mismanagement of N10 billion, and Obiano for money laundering and theft of N4 billion.

He disclosed that the EFCC has also charged former ministers Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye for misappropriating funds from the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project (N33.8 billion and $6 billion, respectively).

Hadi Sirika faces two cases, including fraud involving N5.8 billion.

He explained that the investigation continues into Betta Edu, the sacked Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, for alleged misconduct, with N30 billion recovered and 40 linked bank accounts under scrutiny.

Olukoyede emphasized that the EFCC is tackling illegal vote trading and has pursued individuals involved in vote-buying during recent elections.

The EFCC announced, “In Ola Olukoyede’s one year as EFCC Chairman, from October 18, 2023, to October 18, 2024, the Commission has charged four former governors—Yahaya Adoza Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra), and Darius Dickson Ishaku (Taraba)—to court for alleged corruption.

“The Commission under my watch secured 3,455 convictions across all categories of financial crimes and corruption. The monetary asset recoveries have been noteworthy as well, with N248,750,049,365.52 recovered in Naira. In the same year, the EFCC recorded $105,423,190.39 in foreign currencies, demonstrating a strong focus on asset recovery.

“We have a comprehensive docket of cases that span various sectors of society, including the mining sector.

“On former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, when the investigation began, we provided updates on our progress. The Chairman mentioned monitoring over 40 accounts, which takes time to review thoroughly. These matters are ongoing.”

Sunday Dare has called for patience regarding President Bola Tinubu’s reforms, urging Nigerians to recognize the leader’s efforts.

“You know, the subsidy was draining this country, with only a few hundred making billions from it. Every president said they would stop the subsidy, but none did. Let’s give this man some credit, even if we don’t like it,” said Dare, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, during Thursday’s Politics Today on Channels Television.

He described Tinubu as deeply dedicated, saying, “This is a man who works tirelessly, burning the midnight oil when others are out carousing. I worked with him for seven years, and we would often sleep at 4, 5, or 6 in the morning.”