The recent clash between the Arewa Youth Assembly and the Coalition of Northern Youths Organization has stirred significant controversy. The dispute centers around a call for the dismissal of Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), made by the Coalition of Northern Youths Organization following reports over the importation of toxic fuel into Nigeria.
The Coalition of Northern Youths Organization has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Engr. Farouk Ahmed from his position arguing that the NMDPRA chief’s continued tenure is untenable given the alarming reports of substandard and potentially dangerous fuel being imported into Nigeria. Their stance is based on the belief that Ahmed’s leadership is compromised and ineffective in preventing such dangerous imports.
The Nigeria Citizens’ Watch for Good Governance has escalated the situation asthe organization, represented by its National President Eshiofeh Collins, alleged that substandard petroleum products are being imported from Russia through Malta. These products are then blended and shipped to Nigeria. This practice, they claim, is in violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and poses serious health risks to Nigerians. The Nigeria Citizens’ Watch for Good Governance called for an immediate investigation by the relevant authorities into these allegations. They have also threatened to occupy filling stations nationwide if their demands are not met, underscoring their seriousness about addressing this issue.
In response to these developments, the Arewa Youth Assembly has come out strongly against the Coalition of Northern Youths Organization’s call for Ahmed’s removal. They have expressed their disapproval in a statement signed by their Speaker, Mohammed Danlami. The Arewa Youth Assembly has vehemently rejected the call, labeling the Coalition of Northern Youths Organization as a “faceless group” with dubious intentions. They accuse the group of not being true representatives of Northern youths but rather criminals seeking to create chaos and disrupt order.
The Arewa Youth Assembly’s statement firmly distances itself from the Coalition’s claims and condemns their actions. They assert that the call for Ahmed’s dismissal is unfounded and lacks merit. According to the Assembly, there is no substantial basis for the removal of the NMDPRA chief, and the call for his sacking is an unjust attempt to undermine his position and the regulatory authority he heads.
Furthermore, the Arewa Youth Assembly has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore the call for Ahmed’s removal, asserting that it is baseless. They also called upon security agencies to take action against those they accuse of impersonating Northern youths and attempting to blackmail the NMDPRA CEO.
This clash raises questions about the integrity of calls for regulatory actions across Nigeria while the differing opinions reflect a complex interplay of interests and allegiances within the region. On one side, there is a push for accountability and transparency in response to serious allegations of regulatory failures. On the other, there is a defense of the current leadership, questioning the motives behind the calls for change and the legitimacy of the accusers.
As the situation continues to develop, it remains to be seen how the President and the relevant authorities will address these conflicting demands. The calls for investigation and the defense of regulatory leadership underscore the ongoing debate over how best to manage and regulate the oil sector in Nigeria.
