The third day of protests against Engr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has seen the involvement of more Nigerians, including religious clerics and lawyers.
The protesters led by Dan Okwa and Bishop Abel King among others are demanding Ahmed’s immediate removal and a thorough investigation into allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and regulatory compromise.
The allegations against Ahmed include the diversion of over $5 million in public funds to pay for his children’s luxurious foreign education, abuse of office, and conflict of interest.
His son, Faisal, was allegedly recruited into Oando PLC, a company under the regulatory jurisdiction of the NMDPRA, raising concerns about undue influence and nepotism.
The protesters, led by the Concerned Young Professionals Network, have called on the Attorney General of the Federation to initiate a thorough investigation into the allegations and set up a special investigative panel to examine Ahmed’s financial records.
They are also demanding that all permits granted under his leadership be reviewed for irregularities.
The growing list of protesters demanding Ahmed’s removal reflects the increasing public outcry over the allegations.
The protesters believe that an immediate investigation and appropriate actions are necessary to restore public trust in the NMDPRA and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.
“The allegations against Engr. Farouk Ahmed are serious and warrant a thorough investigation. We demand that the authorities take immediate action to restore public trust in the NMDPRA and ensure accountability in the management of public resources,” said Dan Okwa, National President of the Concerned Young Professionals Network.
“We will not back down until Engr. Ahmed is held accountable for his actions. The Nigerian public deserves transparency and accountability from its leaders, and we will continue to demand justice.
“The involvement of religious clerics and lawyers in our protest shows that this is not just a matter of concern for young professionals, but a national issue that requires collective action. We will continue to protest until Engr. Ahmed is removed and the necessary investigations are carried out”.
