Obviously, the announcement by President Muhammadu Buhari that he will be overseeing the petroleum ministry did not sit well with some elements in the country that have criticised him for it.
Many critics are of the opinion that the president will wear himself thin if he gets his hands into too many pies at the same time, while others just think it plain arrogant of him to think he is the only person qualified to manage the nation’s sacred cow – the petroleum ministry.
The latest criticism is coming from two Ijaw groups – Ijaw People Development Initiative (IPDI) and National Association of Izon Ebe Students.
The groups on Thursday through their leaders, Messrs Austin Ozobo and Ebi Wayas respectively, issued a joint statement lampooning the decision and quoted a section of the constitution to back up their stance.
The statement read in part: ”By virtue of Section 138 of the Nigeria Constitution of 1999 as amended, the president shall not during the tenure of his office hold any other executive or paid emolument in any capacity whatsoever.
“This provision is indisputably clear, Buhari is taking us back to the days of the military rule, obviously he lacks the power to assume the position of petroleum minister as serving president,” they claimed.
Advising the president to steer clear of creating a constitutional crisis, the group stated: ”It is an act of lawlessness and the constitution prohibits a public officer assuming two political offices and earning double salaries, the president inclusive.
“The president should resign as president and subject himself to screening by the Senate if he wants to be petroleum minister.
”However, we advise him on the implication and negative impression his resolve to occupy two offices may create on his unpopular change agenda.”
Immediate-past president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is an Ijaw man from Bayelsa state.