President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed the immediate suspension of the inauguration of the newly constituted Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) scheduled for today until further notice. No reason was given for the directive.

On September 19, 2021, Buhari in his capacity as minister of petroleum, directed the incorporation of the NNPC Ltd and thereafter constituted a board for the organisation.

He further approved the appointment of the board and management of the NNPC Ltd, with effect from the date of incorporation of the company.

The President named Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as Chairman of the board while Mallam Mele Kyari and Umar Ajiya were appointed as Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, respectively.

Other board members were: Dr. Tajudeen Umar (North East), Mrs Lami Ahmed (North Central), Mallam Mohammed Lawal (North West), Senator Margaret Chuba-Okadigbo (South East), Constance Harry-Marshal (South South), and Chief Pius Akinyelure (South West).

But a statement issued yesterday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, said a new date for the inauguration of the board will be announced in due course.

He expressed deep regret by the inconveniences caused to members by the suspension.