HURIWA queries missing electricity funds, demands answers from Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas)

[Press Release] The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the refusal of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, to respond to repeated Freedom of Information (FOI) requests regarding the status of a substantial sum of money earmarked for boosting electricity supply towards the end of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

In a press statement issued on Monday, HURIWA accused the current administration of silence and complicity over the unexplained disappearance of this vital fund, which was preserved on the express recommendation of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

According to HURIWA, this recommendation was made in the twilight of the Jonathan administration to prevent some cabinet members from allegedly sharing the funds meant for a critical national development project.

The rights group revealed that former Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, in a now-public letter to the then President, date May 15, 2015, advised that the proceeds—believed to be in excess of $1 billion (NNPC/NLNG dividend funds)—should not be tampered with, but instead preserved to revamp the power sector.

President Jonathan reportedly accepted this recommendation and instructed that the funds be kept intact for electricity infrastructure development.

HURIWA expressed dismay that despite Diezani’s principled stand to preserve the funds for national interest—against pressure from fellow ministers—she was later maligned by the succeeding government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The rights group lamented that the former minister became the subject of what it described as “unrelenting media persecution,” based largely on unsubstantiated claims and politically motivated propaganda.

“It is shameful and disturbing that the same woman who stood firm to prevent the looting of a major national fund meant for electricity supply was turned into a scapegoat and publicly humiliated with all manner of false, unsubstantiated, and malicious claims.

Nigerians were told that she practically collapsed the entire petroleum industry as if she left the country with the entire sector in her handbag,” HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated.

“Today, we are discovering through credible documentation that she actually made efforts to protect public interest and national infrastructure development.

“But the most disheartening part is that immediately the Buhari administration took over, that same fund she worked hard to preserve was allegedly shared without any transparency.”

To get clarity and transparency on the matter, HURIWA said it wrote not once but twice to the current Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, demanding an explanation on what became of the said fund, but the minister has blatantly refused to respond.

“Why is Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo acting as if he is above the law? The FOI Act is not an advisory document—it is a law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It mandates public office holders to disclose information that is in the public interest. His failure to respond to our FOI requests is a direct violation of that law, and we are alarmed by his disregard for transparency and accountability,” HURIWA emphasized.

HURIWA, therefore, issued a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also the Minister of Petroleum Resources, to order his subordinate to respond immediately to the FOI request and explain to Nigerians what happened to the money that was preserved for the electricity sector.

“We are calling on Mr. President, who doubles as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, to show leadership and direct Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo to immediately respond to our FOI request and tell Nigerians what happened to the fund. Nigerians deserve to know why a fund meant to fix our power sector was diverted or shared behind closed doors,” the group stated.

Beyond the specific case of the missing electricity fund, HURIWA also used the opportunity to raise broader concerns about the widespread disregard for the FOI Act by officials in the current administration. The group observed that it has become a norm for ministers, heads of agencies, and other public officers to ignore FOI requests without consequence, thereby undermining Nigeria’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“We ask President Tinubu a very important question: Has he issued a standing directive to his ministers not to honour FOI requests? Because that is the only explanation for the pattern of arrogant silence from his cabinet members whenever citizens or civil society groups exercise their right to request information. Even the Honourable Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who should be the chief enforcer of the FOI Act, has not demonstrated leadership in ensuring compliance across ministries,” HURIWA lamented.

The group warned that the continued flouting of the FOI Act by federal officials sets a dangerous precedent and erodes public confidence in democratic governance. It urged the President to make an example of the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) by ensuring he complies with the law and explains the status of the fund in question.

HURIWA reaffirmed its commitment to holding public officials accountable and pledged to explore legal redress if the federal government continues to shield the truth from Nigerians.

“This matter is too important to be swept under the carpet. The fund in question was meant to boost electricity—something that affects the life and productivity of every Nigerian. We will not allow it to vanish into thin air. We will persist until justice and transparency are achieved,” HURIWA declared.

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator,
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
May 19, 2025