Nigerian senators are calling for an immediate investigation into the country’s oil ministry, a VOA report has said.

It identified Senator Ibrahim Musa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as one of those behind the call. VOA said that Senator Musa yesterday argued that President-elect Muhammadu Buhari should launch a thorough probe into the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other parastatals as soon as he is sworn into office on May 29.

He was quoted as saying: “All the Nigerian people are eager and are calling on the president-elect to commence a thorough investigation of the finances of NNPC, because a lot of damage has been done to the account of the NNPC. Not only the APC senators, but [also] all the masses of this country are yearning for that investigation.”

Calling for the investigation to be expanded to include other government institutions so the new administration can begin on a clean slate, Musa said: “Not only NNPC; there are a lot of other parastatals that are to be investigated. I know the damage is so much that nobody can ignore the damage. No incoming president can ignore the damage not even General Buhari. Any person that is elected apart from Jonathan would have to conduct that investigation.”

The Senator denied the call for the investigation is geared towards the persecution of Petroleum Resources Minister Supporters of Diezani Alison-Madueke or any other ministers.

“No, it is never a witch-hunt but it must be done. Because the damage done to the Nigerian economy is too much to ignore,” he said.

“Even if it were to be another [president], he must have to conduct that investigation. The whole issue of governance during the administration of Jonathan is a total mess,” said Musa. “We are not witch-hunting Diezani, no. Anybody saying that is misconceiving the issue. Not Diezani alone, the whole administration is a mess.”

VOA further quoted Musa as saying that those found guilty of embezzling state funds or committing financial malfeasance should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

•Photo shows Buhari.

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