EX-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SEEKS LEGAL STATUS FOR COTTAGE REFINERIES

Former presidential candidate of the defunct African Renaissance Party, Yahaya Ndu, has urged the Federal Government to legalise artisanal refineries across the Niger Delta.

Ndu argued that expanding local refining capacity, rather than debating fuel subsidy, is the key to resolving Nigeria’s energy crisis. He criticised the destruction of thousands of cottage refineries by security agencies and called for their operators to be supported, regulated and given access to crude oil and modern technology.

The former presidential candidate also urged the Federal Government to standardise the operations of the refineries to prevent environmental pollution, stressing that Nigeria should encourage indigenous refining initiatives instead of relying solely on large-scale projects.

Ndu further called on major political parties to zone their 2027 presidential tickets to the South-East, arguing that the region deserves the same political consideration previously given to the South-West after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

On insecurity, he opposed placing state police under the exclusive control of politicians. He proposed that traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women representatives should have a direct role in managing state police formations to prevent political abuse.