Abuja witnessed a surge of public outrage on Monday as demonstrators took to the streets, demanding the immediate removal of Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). The protesters cited the ongoing fuel scarcity that has paralyzed the nation, exacerbating the already dire economic situation for millions of Nigerians.
The protest, spearheaded by the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations, saw a large crowd gather at Unity Fountain, one of the capital’s most prominent protest venues. With placards and banners in hand, the demonstrators chanted slogans condemning Kyari’s leadership, holding him accountable for the persistent fuel shortages that have left the country in a state of crisis.
One banner boldly declared, “We are tired of fuel scarcity and stories on why refineries are not working.” This sentiment echoes the frustration of many Nigerians who have grown weary of the government’s repeated excuses for the ongoing failures in the energy sector. The protesters’ demands were clear: they want decisive action to end the suffering caused by what they perceive as gross mismanagement at the helm of NNPCL.
The call for accountability was further amplified by renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. Falana did not mince words as he attributed the fuel scarcity and the accompanying rise in the cost of living to what he described as “monumental fraud” within the NNPCL. He stressed the need for transparency, urging the government to conduct a thorough investigation into the corporation’s operations.
“The current situation is not just a failure of management; it’s a betrayal of public trust. Nigerians are being forced to bear the brunt of these inefficiencies, and it’s time for those responsible to be held accountable,” Falana asserted.
Adding to the chorus of voices calling for change, Aminu Abbas, the convener of the protest, made a passionate plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to take decisive action against Kyari. “The fuel scarcity we endure today is not just a mere inconvenience; it is a calculated perpetuation of suffering,” Abbas declared, highlighting the worsening conditions that ordinary Nigerians face daily.
Abbas emphasized that the protest was not just about fuel scarcity, but also about the broader implications of Kyari’s leadership on the nation’s economy and the well-being of its citizens. “The time to act is now. Mr. Kyari must be shown the way out, and the NNPCL must be reformed to serve the interests of all Nigerians. We will not be silenced,” he warned.
