Political activist and international affairs leader, Comrade Timi Frank, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, following corruption allegations raised by President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and currently ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, as well as Senior Adviser to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, described the allegation as alarming and deeply disturbing, noting that it raises serious questions about accountability and integrity in public office.
He said claims that about $5 million was allegedly spent on the secondary education of the NMDPRA boss’ children in Switzerland are too weighty to be ignored and should automatically trigger a thorough investigation by anti-corruption agencies.
“Coming from Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and a globally respected businessman, this allegation cannot be dismissed. It is grave and deserves urgent and serious attention,” Frank said.
He urged President Tinubu to break his silence on the matter, warning that failure to act decisively could undermine the administration’s anti-corruption credentials.
“The President must act immediately by suspending the NMDPRA CEO and ordering a transparent, independent investigation. Continued silence is unacceptable and sends a dangerous signal to Nigerians,” he stated.
Frank also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to commence an immediate probe, stressing that no public official should be shielded from scrutiny.
“Even though the EFCC appears to be handling the prosecution of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, with kid gloves, the fact remains that this allegation borders on the possible diversion of public funds for personal use,” he said.
According to him, the allegation comes at a time of severe economic hardship across the country, making it morally troubling for any public official to be associated with extravagant personal spending.
“Nigerians are hungry and struggling to survive, yet we are confronted with allegations of obscene luxury by public officials. This is a familiar and painful pattern in high-profile corruption cases,” Frank noted.
He warned that failure to investigate the matter could further erode public trust in government institutions, discourage investors, and reinforce damaging international perceptions of Nigeria, including former U.S. President Donald Trump’s description of the country as a “disgraced nation.”
Frank commended Dangote for speaking out, describing his action as patriotic and a demonstration of civic responsibility.
“He had no obligation to raise this issue, but he chose to stand with ordinary Nigerians. That is commendable and should embolden others to speak out against corruption,” he said.
He added that Dangote had reportedly expressed readiness to cooperate fully with investigators, urging authorities to seize the opportunity to establish the truth.
“I also welcome Comrade Aliko Dangote as the newest comrade in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Now that he has joined the struggle, we are optimistic that more Nigerians will take this fight seriously and deliberately,” Frank added.
He expressed hope that Dangote would continue to expose corruption wherever it exists in public institutions.
Frank maintained that if the NMDPRA CEO is confident of his innocence, he should step aside and submit himself to investigation to clear his name.
“This matter must not be swept under the carpet. Accountability must prevail. Nigeria cannot afford silence or delay in the face of allegations of this magnitude,” he concluded.
Timi Frank urges Tinubu to probe NMDPRA CEO, praises Dangote
