Mele Kyari: Plots to sack NNPCL boss deepens; ‘no remedies’

The probability of the powerful Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari, successfully navigating the current challenges in the oil sector appears to be minimal. There is a growing sentiment among lawmakers and governors, who are subtly suggesting to the president that relieving Kyari of his contentious position may be advisable.

A source in Abuja revealed to ThePAPERS that there is a significant effort underway to relieve the pressure on the presidency regarding the removal of Kyari. Many federal lawmakers and some Southern governors are urging the president to allow Kyari to go, despite some resistance.

Despite the numerous controversies surrounding his personality and role in the country, Kyari has recently made a commitment to disclose the true nature of the company’s operations at the most fitting and opportune moment.

Kyari stated this Wednesday, August 7, while testifying before a Senate ad hoc committee investigating alleged economic sabotage in the petroleum industry.

This revelation could not augur well with some powerful cabal’s involvement in oil sector’s dirty deal.

The committee, chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, scrutinises NNPCL’s activities amidst rising calls for public accountability.

Kyari firmly stated that NNPCL maintains a policy of transparency and integrity, refuting allegations of involvement in importing sub-standard products.

Meanwhile, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called for the suspension of NNPCL boss Mele Kyari.

In a statement on Sunday by its deputy spokesman James Ezema, CNPP also called for a probe into allegations of fuel subsidy scams, importation of substandard petroleum products and the mismanagement of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

CNPP wants the authorities “to hold NNPC Limited accountable by immediately suspending Mele Kyari and independently probing the subsidy scam and other allegations in Nigeria’s upstream and downstream oil sectors to save the economy and minimise hunger.”

It lamented that despite the successive pump price hike from N167 to about N700 per litre of petrol under the guise of endless subsidy removal, “petrol is still very scarce in the country, making citizens suffer more.”

On the allegation by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, that “people in NNPC don’t want their lucrative subsidy scam to end,” the CNPP said the failure of Mr Kyari’s leadership to “address these issues makes him unfit to continue in his role.”

The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country also expressed concern over the government’s alleged importation of substandard petroleum products, which “poses a significant risk to the health and safety of Nigerians.”

The CNPP was dissatisfied with the huge funds spent on rehabilitating the Port Harcourt refinery, saying it is “another testament to the mismanagement and inefficiency that plagues NNPC Limited.”

It urged President Bola Tinubu to act and ensure that Nigerians get the justice they deserve without further suffering and deprivation.