Chiedu Ugbo was reappointed managing director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) in spite of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s opinion, insiders have told TheCable.
Ugbo was appointed in August 2016 on the recommendation of Osinbajo, TheCable understands.
However, when President Muhammadu Buhari sought Osinbajo’s opinion on the position ahead of the expiration of Ugbo’s tenure, his name was not on the vice-president’s shortlist.
But Buhari still renewed Ugbo’s appointment.
In the memo titled “Appointment of the new managing director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC)”, the vice-president listed six names for the post.
“This memorandum is in response to your directive through the Chief of Staff letter dated 11th October, 2019. In the letter, you directed a review of the current management team of NDPHC, to professionalise it,” Osinbajo wrote.
“Mr. Gabriel Oritsemolebi Yomere, Alh. Husaan M. Abubakar, Abdullahi Bukar, Abubakar Suleiman, Agwu Emmanuel Iwuezi Chinonye and Mr. James Abiodun Olotu.
“Your Excellency, I instituted a five-man team to study their CVs carefully and produce their respective brief to me. It is important to mention here that none of my staff were among the five man team. They were all outsiders who have the knowledge of power project management.
“Besides, I did not allow them to make any recommendation or choose the best among them. I did so for the sake of transparency and also to make sure that the recommendation to Your Excellency is completely from me and is the best.”
However, Osinbajo stated that Bukar has no experience in power sector development and management.
The vice-president added that 71-year-old Bukar will not be very active to absorb the pressure and stress of the job because of his age.
“Mr. President, judging from the above, Mr. James Abiodun Olotu is the best candidate for the post of the Managing Director of NDPHC,” the vice-president wrote.
“I have no doubt that if given the opportunity once more, he will excell to the admiration of Nigerians. I have no hesitation therefore in recommending him for the job.
“Accordingly, Your Excellency is hereby requested to approve the appointment of Mr. James Abiodun Olotu as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC).”
Buhari, however, did not follow the recommendation of the vice-president.
