The House of Representatives has received and approved a petition from the socio-cultural group, Ezi Umuada Igbo, demanding the removal of Sophia Mbakwe, the Executive Vice President (Business Services) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

The group claims Mbakwe is occupying a position designated for the South East region but allegedly is not from the zone.

The petition was presented during Thursday’s plenary session by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream). It specifically requested that the lawmakers investigate the alleged breach of the Federal Character Principle regarding Mbakwe’s appointment.

Addressed to the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the petition raised concerns that Mrs. Mbakwe’s appointment as the representative of the South East on the NNPCL management team contravened constitutional provisions aimed at ensuring equitable representation across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

Quoting directly from the petition, the group stated: “While we wholeheartedly appreciate His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for considering an Igbo woman worthy of inclusion in such a strategic national position, we must respectfully but firmly express our concern that the said appointee, Mrs. Mbakwe, is not from the South East region and therefore cannot validly represent the zone in accordance with the Federal Character Principle enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

The Ezi Umuada Igbo Association, identified as a leading socio-cultural organisation of Igbo women both in Nigeria and the diaspora, asserted that the South East has many qualified and competent women capable of filling the role.

The group further added: “We therefore urge the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and all relevant authorities to review this appointment and ensure that a qualified daughter of the South East—drawn from the rich pool of competent, experienced, and patriotic Igbo women across our five states is considered for the position.”

Following the presentation, the House of Representatives agreed to consider the petition through its relevant committees and initiate the necessary legislative action.