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By Oscar Okhifo
A heated debate has erupted in the Senate following remarks by Senator Adams Adams Oshiomhole in which he publicly labelled the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as “criminals and thieves,” prompting lawmakers to formally disown the comments.
The clarification was made on Thursday during plenary after lawmakers raised concerns over the comments made by Senator Adams Adams Oshiomhole during a Public Accounts Committee session involving the NNPCL.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who brought the issue before the chamber, stated that the remarks do not represent the official position of the Senate, stressing that “the remarks attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole do not represent the position of the Senate.”
Lawmakers further emphasised that personal views expressed by individual senators should not be interpreted as institutional decisions of the upper legislative chamber, noting that “individual opinions of senators must not be mistaken for the institutional position of the upper chamber.”
The Senate also moved to clarify its stance on reports suggesting a warrant of arrest against former NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, insisting that no committee of the National Assembly has the power to authorise such action without full legislative approval, warning that “no committee of the National Assembly has the authority to act independently without full legislative backing.”
They cautioned against actions or statements that could be seen as undermining public institutions, urging restraint in language during oversight engagements, adding that “we must avoid statements that undermine public institutions or erode public trust.”
However, the comments have sparked wider public debate, with many Nigerians criticising the conduct of some lawmakers during committee hearings. Some citizens argue that legislative committees often speak harshly to invited officials and treat them in a dismissive manner.
A caller on a radio programme on Thursday morning also accused lawmakers of double standards, saying, “Imagine if someone said all senators are thieves, would they not react? But they do worse in some cases,” while another added, “This country is funny! kettles calling pots black everywhere.”
Media personality Reuben Abati also weighed in, describing Oshiomhole’s remarks as potentially defamatory, warning that “there is no way an entire institution can be branded corrupt without evidence or a court judgment.”
He further cautioned that “it is unwise and legally risky to use a single brush for all staff of an organisation,” adding that “such sweeping statements could be defamatory and attract legal consequences if challenged in court.”
The Senate, however, restated its commitment to due process, legislative decorum, and constitutional oversight of public institutions, especially as investigations into the financial operations of the NNPCL continue.
It stressed that all oversight activities must be conducted strictly within the confines of the law and should not be influenced by emotional outbursts or personal opinions of lawmakers.
The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of the NNPCL over alleged financial discrepancies currently being examined by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts.