Some Youths in the country who stormed the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited on Monday, hasve called for the immediate sack and resignation of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mele Kyari.
The protest which was led by some Civil Society Organisations, underscored Kyari’s leadership as poor and incompetent, following the skyrocketing fuel prices, endless fuel queues, and economic hardship experienced across the country
The protesters who went about carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “we demand the immediate resignation of Kyari”, among others, said the leadership of the NNPCL boss has failed to improve the livelihood of Nigerian's.
Abdullahi Bilal of the (Two Million Man March Against Oil Scam Cabal) and Barrister Napoleon Otache and Olayemi Isaac from Citizens and Economic Freedom Rights Activists in Nigeria, who led the aggrieved youths demanded for immediate action to be taken in addressing the failed leadership of Mele Kyari.
The protest by the youths is due to their grievances over skyrocketing fuel prices and the never-ending queues, which they claimed have driven inflation and plunged millions of Nigerians into poverty.
They also decried the importation of adulterated fuel into the Nigerian market, which they said is a corrupt practice that puts citizens at risk by damaging vehicles and businesses.
They demanded for an immediate order of restriction to the imports and accountability for those responsible, while also questioning how substandard fuel continues to enter the country despite quality control assurances.
They called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene by addressing the leadership structure in the oil sector, by enforcing greater accountability, and putting citizens’ needs first.
The protesters promised to continue mobilizing and protesting until their demands for reform and transparency are met.
Speaking to newsmen during the mass protest, Abdullahi Bilal said, “The Two Million Man March stands as a united voice for every citizen who has been betrayed by a system that continues to enrich a few at the expense of many"
“Today, we call for the immediate resignation of the current leadership in the country’s oil sector. Their management has failed Nigerians"
“Under their watch, we have seen fuel prices skyrocket without consultation or consideration of the devastating impact on the people. We have endured fuel scarcity while substandard, adulterated fuel is imported, causing further hardship"
“We demand the complete removal of the fraudulent fuel subsidy regime that has only served to enrich a select few. Full deregulation is necessary to introduce transparency, competition, and fairness to our oil sector.”
On their part, Otache and Isaac, stated that, “This act of economic sabotage has led to endless fuel queues, skyrocketing fuel prices, and unprecedented disruptions in the daily lives of Nigerians"
“We demand an immediate end to fuel queues, transparency, and accountability from all involved parties. We want to know how substandard fuel continues to enter the country despite assurances of quality control.”
While reacting to remarks from the protest, the NNPCL spokesperson, Femi Soneye, said the protestors lack understanding of the sector.
He explained that contrary to their agitation, the GCEO has worked in ensuring that Nigerians had access to fuel at N620 per litre for over a year, even when the landing cost was above N1,100.
