Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of the House of Representatives is under intense pressure from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency over the ongoing investigation into the management of the petroleum subsidy regime, Daily Trust heard in Abuja yesterday.
The House instituted investigation into allegation of corruption in the subsidy regime during its first-ever emergency session over removal of fuel subsidy on New Year's day held on January 8th, 2012.
Sources in the National Assembly told Daily Trust that the presidency was "very uncomfortable" with the probe which may "nail" some prominent figures of the government and the PDP.
The source said some "traditional rulers, elder statesmen, and influential citizens" were among those drafted to plead with the House leadership on the investigation.
Also, committee chair Lawan, according to the source, was said to have been summoned to the villa.
However, sources close to the House leadership said Speaker Tambuwal and the body of principal officers "have resolved not to interfere" with the work of the committee.
Lawan himself according to sources has come under pressure from people that "are likely to be affected by the investigation" including major oil marketers who have been accused of forming a "cabal" in the oil and gas sector.
Startling revelations made during the past two weeks of the probe include that of round tripping, inflation of oil imports, exact quantity of Nigeria's daily consumption of petrol, and unbudgeted spending of over N1.73 trillion in 2011 only as subsidy on imported fuel.
DailyTrust