Reactions have trailed President Buhari’s rejection of PIGB.
The proposed law, which was conceived to liberalise the governance structure of Nigeria’s oil industry, is one of the four bills in which the omnibous Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was broken into by the legislature after over a decade of motion without movement.
TPCN learnt that Buhari has sent back the bill to the national assembly on three grounds.
One, Buhari said the bill, if signed into law, would whittle down his power as minister of petroleum resources.
Two, he said all the ministers he consulted over PIGB refused to support his signing it into law.
Three, the president said he did not see any “fiscal content” of the bill.
However, a separate law, Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill (PIFB), is currently being considered by the lawmakers.
The other subsets being considered are: Petroleum Industry Administration Bill (PIAB) and the Petroleum Host Community Bill (PHCB).
Buhari’s refusal to sign PIGB into law will be regarded as a big set-back for the reform of the oil industry after years of campaigns and controversies.
The harmonised bill was passed by both chambers of the national assembly on March 28, 2018.
BudgIT in their reaction noted that https://twitter.com/BudgITng/status/1034751563993108485
According to them, https://twitter.com/BudgITng/status/1034751560725811200
Former Minister of education, Oby Ezekwesili tweeted https://twitter.com/obyezeks/status/1034750895748251648
https://twitter.com/poabaje/status/1034748505158500352
PIGB Rejection as Fatal Blow to Oil Sector Reforms https://t.co/5N8tO52bsx
— Suraj Jarus Oyewale (@Jarushub) August 29, 2018
Before we get to supporting @nassnigeria to veto @MBuhari’s ‘lifeless’ decision on #PIGB, Nigerians must face the right discourse no other time can permit than now:
1. National interest
2. Federalism
3. Rule of Law
4. Corruption in NNPC (under PMB).As a matter of urgency…
— Shakir Akorede (@akorive001) August 29, 2018
When you vote a septugenarian with retrogressive and midget beliefs into power decision making as such as we have seen with the PIGB is what
— Oludolapo Charles (@Dollypizo) August 29, 2018
Buhari has rejected the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) over claims that it weakens his ministerial powers.
Few days ago he spoke about putting National interest above anything (rule of law/human right)
This is the highest level of hypocrisy.
— Odafe (@ovwede_) August 29, 2018
"Two, he said all the ministers he consulted over PIGB refused to support his signing it into law." My comment: I don't believe the current Minister of State on Petroleum is part of the ones referred to here
— Olu'badan to be, Gbenga Adekunle Aderounmu (@olugat) August 29, 2018
Integrity my foot. Don't forget that the PIGB ought to have been an executive bill in the first instance which the executive arm never bothered to draft.
— Mikhail Barnabas (@barnaby04) August 29, 2018
Baba no even fit find any politically correct response to the refusal to sign PIGB.
— Riquid Metal (@ItsOluwaTweezy) August 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/SOlohundare/status/1034728066570956801
https://twitter.com/SOlohundare/status/1034727839814361088
Exactly. Whatever happens to the diversify from oil mantra. That was why I said he'll have to kiss goodbye to his ERGP because it was hedged on a functional oil industry which the PIGB envisaged. Future investments will simply look for other stable destinations…
— Chineme Okafor (@ChinemeOkafor) August 29, 2018
PMB is the most corrupt public officer presently in Nigeria, he even decline accent to PIGB. Wait till he is booted out to hear stories of high level of corruption during his admin. https://t.co/HHh5Ygjxp8
— NwaColl (@NwachukwuColl18) August 29, 2018
I really don't know what Nigerians are expecting from a man who isn't aware West Germany no long exists. In a space of one month, he has rejected two bills: Electoral amendent (making card reader compulsory) and #PIGB (because it whittles down his powers as pet minister).
— ThankGod Ukachukwu (@kcnaija) August 29, 2018
In all this PIGB talk. We shouldn't forget that it was the 8th Senate under @bukolasaraki that finally passed it after 17 years. Someone is ready for vital reforms. The President meanwhile is a stumbling block.
— Ayobami (@dondekojo) August 29, 2018
Buhari rejects PIGB. Says It reduces his power as petroleum minister
The Seeker: I am in wonderment as to why our president & the ministers he consulted(as alleged) refused this bill which seeks to unbundle the corruption behemoth called NNPC
thread👇https://t.co/WwTzokcHTF— The Revolutionary Seeker (WAEC) (@The_Seeker76) August 29, 2018
This is just a mess of a contradiction: Not that the #PIGB whittles down the Powers of the Presidency but the Powers of the Minister,
which office is unfortunately occupied by the President,
which now means that he is acting subjectively in dual capacity to Nigeria’s loss. https://t.co/D9nnb1cJuA
— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) August 29, 2018
1, Inter-Africa trade agreement signed in Rwanda, @mbuhari declined.
2, Now PIGB declined again with selfish and flimsy reason that it would water down his powers.
Does these not confirmed him lifeless?…💀👻👽👿👹
— Odirah Chinedum' (@chineduodira) August 29, 2018
A landmark bill of fourth republic, a bill to address shortcomings of Nigeria’s oil industry and NNPC, #PIGB bill has been rejected by Buhari. Nothing echoes more who is the clog in wheel of progress. I call on National Assembly and PDP to veto Buhari. https://t.co/0yAe7tBeXO
— ThankGod Ukachukwu (@kcnaija) August 29, 2018
