Former Bayelsa East Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen his administration by appointing more people willing to challenge entrenched interests and push through difficult reforms.
Murray-Bruce, while describing himself as a supporter of the Tinubu administration, said genuine support should include constructive criticism rather than unquestioning loyalty.
He explained that his use of the phrase “mad men” referred to men and women bold enough to confront a dysfunctional system, challenge powerful interests and reject mediocrity.
According to him, Nigeria needs government officials who are driven by results and willing to become unpopular when necessary to achieve meaningful progress.
Murray-Bruce cited Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu as examples of officials who, in his view, have demonstrated the determination and courage required to deliver results.
He argued, however, that two such officials were not enough for a country of more than 200 million people, particularly in the petroleum sector.
The former senator urged President Tinubu to make the rehabilitation and commercially viable operation of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries a major priority.
He said Nigerians had heard enough explanations about turnaround maintenance, technical reviews and committees, insisting that the ultimate measure of success should be the production of refined petroleum products from the facilities.
Murray-Bruce suggested that the Federal Government should consider different ownership and management structures, including partnerships with experienced technical operators, private investment or concessions, if such arrangements would make the refineries efficient.
He pointed to the Dangote Refinery as evidence of Nigeria’s capacity to operate large-scale refining infrastructure and proposed that the three government-owned refining complexes should initially target a combined reliable output equivalent to at least half of Dangote Refinery’s 650,000 barrels-per-day nameplate capacity.
He further urged the administration to look beyond meeting domestic fuel demand and position Nigeria as a major exporter of refined petroleum products to other African countries.
On crude oil production, Murray-Bruce challenged the President to appoint a determined official capable of driving production towards the administration’s target of four million barrels per day by 2030.
He argued that production levels around 1.5 million barrels per day should not be considered acceptable if the government’s stated ambition is to reach four million barrels daily.
Murray-Bruce concluded by urging Tinubu to surround himself with officials who are prepared to take bold decisions, challenge established interests and deliver measurable results for Nigerians.
