The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign as the Minister of Petroleum following the controversial $26 billion contract awards saga currently rocking the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Addressing a press conference on Sunday in Abuja, the National Secretary of the party, Dr. James Okporoma said the scandal in the oil sector was a national embarrassment and urged the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu to come out bold and honourably resign his appointment.

“It is a clear indication that the APC – led Federal Government is paying lip service to its much – touted war against corruption which has largely been selective. It is worrisome that this monumental fraud could be taking place on his (Buhari’s) watch. It is clear that there is a collapse of leadership in the country. If he is incapable of providing leadership in that sector, we demand a change,” Okporoma said.

He added: “There has been no official response. We expect the president to come out with a formal response to these allegations since he is the one presiding over the affairs of the petroleum ministry, the buck stops at his table.

“The President should own up and address Nigerians on these monumental allegations of misappropriation of our national patrimony.

“This government has continued to deceive itself with a laughable and dishonest war against corruption when it has refused to clear serious cases of corruption involving its major functionaries.”

The party further stressed that the failure of leadership in the country could either be attributed to the President’s ill – health and his consequent inability to check the excesses of the cabal that is allegedly running the government.

Okporoma added that virtually all the sectors of the economy have collapsed as the current administration has proven to be incapable of providing quality leadership and meeting the aspirations of Nigerians at all levels of governance.