Discard allegations against NMDPRA CEO, N,Delta Youths to NASS, Presidency

A coalition of youth leaders from Nigeria’s South-South region, South- South Youth Leaders and Agitators, and Nigeria Youth For Good Governance has called on the National Assembly and the Presidency to disregard petitions, media reports alleging financial misconduct against Engr. Faruq Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

They described the allegations as a “desperate charade” by faceless groups intent on derailing the reforms taking place in the oil and gas regulatory space.

At a joint world press conference in Abuja on Friday, the two groups said the allegations levelled against Ahmed was politically motivated to tarnish his public service records.
The Convener of South-South Youth Leaders and Agitators, Comrade EIdogho Marcus said the allegations against Ahmed were baseless, and were allegedly made by groups lacking credibility and national standing.

He said: “We equally call on the National Assembly, the SGF’s Office, and the Presidency to disregard baseless petitions sponsored by groups lacking credibility and national standing.

“These groups have no known history of public advocacy or anti-corruption engagement and appear only when hired for smear campaigns.”
According to him, recent allegations circulating in the media against Engr. Ahmed is “spurious, unsubstantiated, and orchestrated” to malign a technocrat whose integrity and professionalism have repositioned the midstream and downstream petroleum sectors.

Marcus expressed concern over the sudden emergence of unknown civil society outfits staging protests with professionally produced banners and media access, describing the development as “an obvious sign of a well-funded propaganda effort.”

Highlighting Ahmed’s track record, he noted his over 30 years of service in the oil and gas industry, his commitment to transparency, and the reforms he has led since assuming leadership of NMDPRA.

Marcus listed his achievements to include initiatives that have improved regulatory oversight, promoted investor confidence, and aligned Nigeria’s petroleum operations with global best practices under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“We urge Nigerian youths to reject the culture of trial by media and to stand in defence of due process.

“If there are genuine issues, constitutionally established institutions such as the EFCC, ICPC, or the Auditor- General’s Office should be allowed to investigate without public hysteria or political interference,” he said.
Also speaking, the Convener of Nigeria Youth For Good Governance, Comrade Oluwole Samson, appealed to the Nigerian media not to be “willing tools in the hands of political actors seeking to undermine public servants who stand for merit and reform.”

He warned against attempts to distract Ahmed from delivering on his mandate.

Samson urged Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant and support credible efforts aimed at institutional transformation in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
“We appeal to the media to remain the conscience of society by avoiding complicity in propaganda.

“We urge Nigerian youths to rise above political mischief and reject the culture of ‘trial by media’. Engr. Faruq Ahmed represents what is possible when merit, competence, and vision align.

“He is one of the few public servants who have not used public office for personal aggrandisement but have instead deployed their expertise in service to national development”, he said.