Former Edo State governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has stirred controversy after openly celebrating the removal of Engr. Farouk Ahmed as head of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, describing the decision as vital to Nigeria’s economic survival.

Oshiomhole made the comments on Thursday during the Senate screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees for the positions of Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

Strong words during screening session

During the proceedings, the senator said he welcomed the exit of both Ahmed and Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, who previously headed Nigeria’s petroleum regulatory agencies. According to him, their departures marked a turning point for the country’s oil and gas sector.

In remarks that quickly drew attention, Oshiomhole used extreme language to express his frustration with Ahmed’s tenure.

“He needed to be hanged,” the senator said while speaking at the session.

He went further to accuse the former regulator of policies he claimed were hostile to local job creation. According to Oshiomhole, anyone who opposes domestic production in favour of importation undermines Nigeria’s economic future.

“In my previous statement, I said if you do not hang him, he will change Nigeria,” he said. “Anyone who is opposed to jobs being created in Nigeria, who prefers importation and exports our prosperity abroad, does not deserve to live.”

Claims of economic sabotage

Oshiomhole argued that regulatory decisions taken under the former leadership encouraged fuel importation rather than strengthening local refining capacity. He suggested that such policies worsened unemployment and deepened economic hardship.

According to reports from the screening session, the senator insisted that the removal of the former officials was long overdue and necessary to reset the petroleum sector.

“I am still going to be drunk tonight because of Farouk’s removal,” he added, underscoring his approval of the decision.

Reactions and wider context

Political analysts say Oshiomhole’s comments reflect long-running tensions around petroleum sector reforms, especially debates over local refining, fuel importation and regulatory oversight. However, some observers have also raised concerns about the tone of the remarks, noting that public discourse by elected officials carries significant weight.

As the Senate continues its screening of President Tinubu’s nominees, attention is expected to remain on how the new leadership of the NUPRC and NMDPRA will approach regulation, investment and job creation in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

For now, Oshiomhole’s statements have added another layer of controversy to an already closely watched confirmation process.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I celebrate the removal of Farouk Ahmed last night. He needed to be hanged. Anyone who opposes job creation in Nigeria while preferring importation doesn’t deserve to live. I’m still going to drink tonight because of Farouk’s removal.<br><br>- Sen. Adams Oshiomhole <a href="https://t.co/cdn38TC1Py">pic.twitter.com/cdn38TC1Py</a></p>&mdash; Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Imranmuhdz/status/2001737360170750165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>