In a powerful and impassioned statement, the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria has called for the immediate removal of Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). Speaking to a gathering of outraged Nigerians, the group’s convener, Comrade Aminu Abbas, accused Kyari of gross incompetence and mismanagement, which they claim has worsened the nation’s fuel crisis and inflicted severe hardship on millions of citizens.
“We are not just here to protest; we are here to voice the frustrations of millions of Nigerians who have been pushed to the brink by the failures of one man—Mr. Mele Kyari,” Abbas declared, reflecting the widespread discontent caused by fuel shortages, inflated prices, and growing uncertainty in the energy sector.
The coalition’s address focused on several serious allegations against Mr. Kyari, accusing him of overseeing a period marked by inefficiency and a lack of accountability. They pointed to the ongoing scarcity of petrol in a country known for its vast oil reserves. “How can a nation so richly blessed with oil continue to suffer from an acute scarcity of petrol?” Abbas asked, underscoring the daily struggles faced by Nigerians.
A key accusation involved the importation of adulterated petroleum products, which has resulted in widespread damage to vehicles, business disruptions, and other economic hardships. “Under Mr. Kyari’s watch, we have witnessed the importation of adulterated petroleum products that have wreaked havoc across the nation,” Abbas said, describing it as “a crime against the Nigerian people.”
Calling the current fuel scarcity “a calculated perpetuation of suffering.” The Coalition argued that the crisis has worsened under Mr. Kyari’s leadership, with no visible solutions in sight. “We ask: what has he done to alleviate this crisis? Where are the solutions?” Abbas demanded, highlighting the persistent failure to repair or maintain Nigeria’s refineries, which are critical to local fuel supply. Mr. Kyari instead prioritizes “lucrative contracts for fuel importation” over the development of local refining capacity.
Highlighting the disconnect between Mr. Kyari’s actions and President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Abbas argued that Kyari represents a barrier to progress. “It is clear that Mr. Kyari cannot be an envoy of this new hope. Instead, he stands as an obstacle, a relic of the old ways that have brought us nothing but pain and despair,” Abbas stated
Concluding their address, the coalition called for urgent reforms at the NNPCL, beginning with the removal of Mr. Kyari. “The continued sabotage of government efforts through the importation of adulterated petroleum products and orchestrated scarcity must stop. Nigeria deserves better!” Abbas declared.
The group also sent a direct message to the government, urging President Tinubu to act swiftly. “Show us that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just empty rhetoric,” Abbas appealed, promising that their voices would not be silenced until justice is achieved.
As public frustration mounts, the coalition’s demands place increased pressure on the government to address the growing fuel crisis and restore faith in Nigeria’s energy sector.