Presidential candidate of Nigerian Rescue Movement in 2023, Felix Osakwe, has refuted reports that he called for President Bola Tinubu’s resignation as Petroleum minister.
He denied too that he never advocated removal of Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari.
The clergyman- turned politician, in a statement in Abuja, said there was no truth in the reports, stressing he did not speak to any media platform or their agents.
The Ukwuani, Delta State-born politician, noted that the President had been on the path of re-engineering the economy, saying but for his reformist agenda, Nigeria would have gone into extinction.
Osakwe said he couldn’t have sought Kyari sack because, to him, the group managing director was a suitable manager of our resources.
Kyari, he said, was doing his best for Niger Delta, a far cry from when youths went on the rampage.
The politician noted security of Petroleum infrastructure in the region was an initiative of the Kyari-led management so, “why would a rational and well-meaning citizen like me call for sack of such a top-notch manager of our resources?
“He is fighting oil thieves through Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. Tantita has never faltered in the discharge of its duties but has almost brought economic saboteurs to their knees.
“That unfortunate report was a figment of the platforms’ imagination – a miscalculated attempt at causing me embarrassment and public odium.
“I couldn’t have granted such reckless and ill-motivated interview calling on the President to resign his position. I was the first candidate to congratulate Mr. President on his victory on NTA.
“I have worked with President Tinubu’s administration with goodwill from me and my party. The report was unprofessional, mischievous, dubious, and ethically fraudulent.
“The story must be pulled down and retracted, else they will meet me in court.” he said.
The former candidate called on Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu’s administration, maintaining the President was setting the nation on the path of rebirth and recovery.