Mixed reactions on Wednesday trailed the appointment of Mr Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as the head of the Petroleum Revenue Special Taskforce.
The taskforce was set up on Tuesday by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, and has 17 members.
The taskforce is aimed at promoting transparency, probity and accountability in the petroleum industry.
In separate interviews, some Nigerians hailed the appointment, while others expressed dissatisfaction.
The Lagos State Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Rev. Austin Nnorom, said that Ribadu’s nomination was commendable.
He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for carrying along the opposition parties.
Ribadu was the presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the April, 2011 general elections.
“The present administration is trying to get it right. By his (Ribadu) appointment, we see the president having a coalition of opposition parties in his government,’’ Nnorom said.
The Director, Institute of Leadership and Democratic Studies, Chief Kunle Adeyoyin, also said the appointment was a welcome development.
“It is a good thing for Nigeria; Ribadu is an honest and active Nigerian,” he said.
Adeyoyin, however, hoped that the appointment was not intended to lure Ribadu to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
However, the National Chairman, Peoples Progressive Party, Mr Damian Ogbonna, expressed dissatisfaction with the appointment.
Ogbonna said that although Ribadu had integrity, he had no experience to perform the task given him.
“When it comes to a candidate to take up a position such as this, such a person must be one with integrity and experience.
“Ribadu is more of law enforcement,” he said.