The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for dismissing Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing the move as a crucial step toward tackling corruption and inefficiency in the nation’s oil sector.
In a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, on Wednesday, the CNPP hailed Kyari’s removal as a bold and necessary decision that reflects the President’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and efficiency in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
“For years, Nigerians have suffered the consequences of mismanagement, inefficiency, and allegations of systemic corruption within NNPCL. These issues have contributed to severe economic distress, including skyrocketing food prices driven by high transportation costs,” the CNPP stated.
However, the CNPP cautioned that Kyari’s dismissal alone would not be sufficient to resolve the deep-seated challenges facing Nigeria’s oil industry. It reiterated its demand for a comprehensive forensic audit of NNPCL’s operations during Kyari’s tenure to uncover potential financial irregularities and mismanagement.
The organization highlighted several serious allegations against Kyari, including unauthorized gratuity payments, the sabotage of local refineries, the diversion of refinery rehabilitation funds, the sale of stolen crude oil, and unaccounted oil revenues and subsidy payments. According to the CNPP, these allegations necessitate an independent probe into NNPCL’s financial and operational records.
“The oil industry remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, and without urgent reforms, the hardship faced by Nigerians will persist,” the CNPP warned. “Ensuring accountability within NNPCL is key to stabilizing the petroleum sector, improving fuel supply, reducing transportation costs, and ultimately lowering food prices.”
The CNPP further urged President Tinubu to implement broader reforms beyond leadership changes and to take decisive action in cleansing the oil sector. Additionally, it called on anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, and the National Assembly to back its demand for a forensic audit to reposition NNPCL for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“The time to act is now!” the CNPP declared, emphasizing the urgency of systemic reforms to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s oil sector.