Fresh political tension has erupted in the Senate following allegations by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of having personal interests in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and benefiting indirectly through family-linked appointments.
Speaking on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Oshiomhole alleged that Akpabio’s daughter was placed in what he described as a “juicy position” in the oil company, reportedly facilitated by former NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari.
He further claimed that the appointment did not follow due process, insisting that it reflected a wider culture of nepotism within the national oil company.
“Myself inclusive… the Senate President said his daughter was taken by Mele Kyari and put in a, well as Nigerians we say, in a juicy position that he probably didn’t merit,” he said.
Oshiomhole also broadened his criticism to the wider structure of the NNPC, alleging that successive leaderships had turned the organisation into what he described as a “family enterprise,” where relatives of powerful figures are routinely employed.
“They all have employed their children, their uncles, their cousins, their in-laws into various aspects of NNPC,” he added.
According to him, the issue is not merely about relatives working in public institutions, but about whether proper recruitment procedures and merit-based systems were followed.
“You can only make an issue if you give them a job they did not merit… and you didn’t follow the right procedure,” he said.
The senator also defended the Senate’s handling of investigative actions involving the NNPC, arguing that the National Assembly acted within its constitutional powers in issuing summons and warrants where necessary.
He maintained that his comments were personal opinions and not official positions of the Senate.
Oshiomhole, however, doubled down on his criticism of the state oil company during the interview, describing it in harsh terms while insisting that legislative oversight must continue without interference.
The allegations come amid ongoing scrutiny of governance and accountability within the petroleum sector, though neither Akpabio nor Kyari has publicly responded to the latest claims at the time of filing this report.
