I’ll Drink To That’” — Oshiomhole Reacts To Farouk, Komolafe’s Departure From Oil Regulators

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has said he openly celebrated the resignation of Engr. Farouk Ahmed and Mr. Gbenga Komolafe from Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory agencies, describing their departure as crucial to the nation’s economic survival.

Oshiomhole made the remarks on Thursday during the Senate screening of nominees submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to head key petroleum regulatory bodies. The exercise was conducted by the Joint Committee on Upstream, Midstream, Downstream and Gas.

President Tinubu had nominated Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), following the resignations of the former chief executives, Ahmed and Komolafe, who were appointed in 2021 under the Petroleum Industry Act.

The leadership changes followed a public confrontation between Ahmed and the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who accused the NMDPRA of undermining domestic refining through the issuance of import licences and further alleged personal corruption against the former regulator.

Addressing the nominees during the screening, Oshiomhole criticised what he termed the “shameful policy decisions” of the outgoing leadership.

“I celebrated it last night,” he said. “It had to be done. And I’m still going to drink tonight because of their removal.”

While acknowledging Engineer Mohammed’s professional qualifications, Oshiomhole stressed that the fundamental issue was policy direction rather than competence.

“Your résumé shows you are qualified,” he said. “But my concern is not your credentials; it is the policy choices you make.”

The former labour leader emphasised that governments across the world deliberately protect local industries to stimulate job creation.

“Nations protect local industries not out of sentiment, but to create jobs,” he said, adding that employment growth comes from deliberate support for labour-intensive sectors such as refining.

Oshiomhole lamented that despite the issuance of multiple refinery licences over the years, policies under the previous regulators favoured importation and weakened domestic refining capacity. He accused the former leadership of deliberately stifling local refinery assets, describing the approach as harmful to Nigeria’s national interest.

“Anyone who prefers importation over local production and exports Nigeria’s wealth abroad has no business managing this sector,” he said.

He urged the new nominees to prioritise national interest over commercial convenience.

“Be guided by what serves Nigeria best, not just the interests of refinery owners,” he added. “The workers there are our brothers, sisters and children.”

Oshiomhole also praised President Tinubu for what he described as decisive leadership in effecting the changes, saying the move had renewed hope among Nigerians who rely on the sector for employment and economic stability.

Senator David Jimkuta, who represents Taraba South, supported Oshiomhole’s position during the session and jokingly pledged to join in celebrating the resignations. He challenged the nominees to clearly explain how they intend to reform the system.

“I want you to tell us plainly,” Jimkuta said. “What will you do differently? What is your assessment of the current system, and how do you plan to change the negative perceptions Nigerians have formed?”