2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to reports saying, authorities of the United States (US) have seized the Nigerian-owned Supertanker “over allegations of crude oil theft and related illicit activities”.
Obi described the report as “deeply troubling” as more details about the story continue to emerge.
He said, he has always cried out over “billions of dollars” the country is losing yearly to “crude oil theft”, adding, this is happening as a result of “lack of accountability, weak institutions and an entrenched culture of impunity”.
Reacting on X, Obi said: “My attention has been drawn to reports that the Nigerian-owned supertanker was seized by the United States authorities over allegations of crude oil theft and related illicit activities.
“While the full facts are still emerging, this development is deeply troubling and speaks to a much bigger crisis that has continued to undermine our national economy, our global reputation, and the future of our young people.
“Severally over the years, I have consistently alerted that Nigeria is losing billions of dollars annually to crude oil theft, a criminal enterprise that has been allowed to thrive because of weak institutions, lack of accountability, and an entrenched culture of impunity.
“When a nation’s most valuable resources are stolen in broad daylight, whether at home or on the high seas, its people inevitably suffer. Our schools deteriorate, our hospitals remain underfunded, insecurity worsens, and millions slip further into poverty.”
The former Governor of Anambra State called for “thorough investigation” into the matter, saying, ordinary Nigerians don’t have the muscle to steal crude oil.
He charged Nigeria to take action to stop “a network of powerful individuals” from “siphoning off” the country’s wealth, and called on the Nigerian authorities to collaborate with international partners to ensure “anyone found complicit faces justice”.
Obi further reacted: “The seriousness of this incident should be appreciated and thorough investigation insituted to get the root of the matter.
“We must strengthen our maritime security, reform our regulatory agencies, digitise and transparently track every barrel of oil produced in this country, and dismantle the criminal cartels that have operated with impunity for decades.
“A nation cannot attract investment when it is constantly in the news for corruption, theft, and mismanagement.
“Relevant Nigerian authorities should work with international partners to establish the facts of this case and ensure that anyone found complicit faces justice, without fear or favour. Our nation cannot continue on this path.”
