On Monday, a large crowd of demonstrators took to the streets of Abuja, calling for the immediate removal of Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
The protest highlights growing frustration over the ongoing fuel scarcity affecting the country.
The NNPCL recently admitted that its substantial debt to suppliers is jeopardizing the sustainable supply of fuel. The corporation’s financial difficulties are exerting considerable pressure on its operations and threatening the stability of fuel availability.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana also voiced his concerns, pointing out that the rising cost of living, arbitrary increases in petrol prices, and the resulting scarcity have led to a noticeable reduction in vehicle usage across Nigeria. Falana, speaking on Sunday’s Channels Television’s Politics Today, criticized the “monumental fraud” surrounding fuel importation in Nigeria, calling for its exposure.
Protesters, who chanted solidarity songs and carried banners with slogans such as “We are tired of fuel scarcity,” “No direction under Kyari,” and “We want accountability in NNPCL,” expressed dissatisfaction with Kyari’s tenure. They argue that his leadership has been marked by poor performance and a lack of accountability.
At the Unity Fountain in Abuja, Aminu Abbas, Convener of the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations, questioned why Nigeria, a country rich in oil, continues to experience severe petrol shortages. He urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and other leaders to take decisive action.
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Abbas stated, “To President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and all those in positions of power, we say the time to act is now. Demonstrate that you stand with the people, not with those profiting from our suffering. Kyari must be removed, and NNPCL must be reformed to serve the interests of all Nigerians. We will not be silenced.
“The current fuel scarcity is not just an inconvenience; it is a deliberate extension of hardship. Under Kyari’s leadership, the situation has worsened without any clear resolution. What actions have been taken to address this crisis? It appears he is focused on maintaining a status quo that benefits a few, while the masses continue to suffer.
“Why must we endure endless queues, inflated prices, and daily uncertainty about fueling our vehicles or powering our homes? The answer lies in the incompetence and mismanagement that have become synonymous with Kyari’s leadership.”