The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Rilwanu Lukman, is alleged to have travelled to Vienna, Austria for the Christmas and New Year holidays despite the serious fuel scarcity in Nigeria and Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan’s order for the minister and three other ministers not to go on christmas holiday due to the fuel crisis.
The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, had told journalists after the Federal Executive meeting that Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan had directed Minister of Petroleum Resources, the Minister of State (Petroleum), Mr. Odein Ajumogobia; the Minister of Power, Mr. Lanre Babalola; and the Minister of State (Power), Alhaji Nuhu Wya, to cancel their plans and remain in Abuja during the Christmas break for meetings to find a lasting solution to the fuel scarcity in Nigeria.
However, a source in the Presidency, speaking anonymously, said that Dr. Rilwanu Lukman had commented that he had already planned to travel to Austria over the holidays and had travelled to Vienna on thursday morning last week and may not return until the New Year
The source said, “It is sad that Lukman had to travel out of the country despite the order of the vice-president that he should not travel. He was supposed to be in charge of the petroleum crisis but the man chose to defy the directive of the vice-president and abandon his official responsibilities and travelled."
“As I am talking to you now, the minister is already in Vienna. He travelled on a British Airways flight. This is a clear demonstration of lack of respect for the office of the vice-president. It is unfortunate that a man who is supposed to be handling a major national issue such as the fuel crisis in the country chose to disobey the vice-president and went in pursuit of personal pleasure.
“It is a great embarrassment to this government and he must be asked to leave this government. The minister’s action is a clear demonstration of the way they look down on the Nigerian people. How then can one justify why a serving minister, who is supposed to be responsible to the Nigerian people, decided to abandon his mandate and travelled for personal pleasure? It is indeed very sad.”
"The views and opinions expressed in these comment(s) or article(s) do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of NGEX, its partners or its affiliates."
Cliff Bmore, MD, USA December 28, 2009
The man have gone to deposit his ill gotten loot, with the full protection of the kaduna mafia aka Arewa consecutive group. I hope Dr. Goodluck will be very smart and get reed or curb the influence of those gangsters. I know some will say see what happened to Abacha when he tried he ended up a dead man? In any case if Dr. Goodluck is very transparent to the Nigerian people he should be fine.
Obi Philadelphia, USA December 28, 2009
Give me one good reason why Nigeria should continue to recycle tired and clueless individuals to lead the nation. In every civilized society your past record will determine your legacy. Not so In Nigeria where who you are and where you come from is the only qualification.
This guy was once the oil minister with no measurable achievement, yet he surfaced again to head the ministry. So tell me why he should care about lack of petroleum products for the poor souls that consitutes the majority of the population. To him, the Vice President is nobody, therefore, he can do whatever he wants.
The only face saving action left for the VP is to fire him as soon as he returns. He is not above the nation. No patrotic Northerner should come to his defense, which is what he is counting on.
Frankie Port Harcourt, Nigeria December 27, 2009
Honestly you guys are clowns...who and who amongst you all is talking about sacking old recycled papa like our Petroleum Minister-Dr.Lukuman... remember he is from Katsina lets not forget same as our sick President...if Ibori from Delta State can be defended with all the bribed judges in our judicial system what makes you think the VP is safe should Yar Adua returns....
I cry daily for being a Nigerian is like Ghana has cast a spell on us they are progressing in everything we are dying ...GOD PLEASE GIVE US A JERRY RAWLINGS !!!....
Kunle Adewale Houston,Texas, USA December 27, 2009
My people, we dey always get worked up and sentimental too much !!! the people who rule Nigeria understand this about us too well, he information is a deliberate leak from someone who is plotting to replace Lukman, look, I am not for Lukman or any of these selfish and dying goats, but let us follow the advise of John from Nigeria , Quote "The solution to Nigeria problem is in the hands of the common man "ACTION AGAINST THE LOOTERS" in our immediate communities. Period!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
Until we do this , we will always be the way we are today tomorrow and forever, God has done his own part, we need to do ours.
And by the way, I did not say Rawlings, I mean we need to start from our immediate surroundings and progress to the local, state and eventually federal.This is the only way out.
The looters understand our sentiments so well, they use our sentiment to achieve their visions. it has never failed them.
Okpara frankee Ebonyi, Nigeria December 27, 2009
The minister act is a total insualt to the orders and the policy of the presidency. The minister should be fired.
