Scores of demonstrators took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, demanding the immediate dismissal of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, in response to the ongoing fuel scarcity that has severely impacted the nation. The protest was fueled by widespread frustration over the persistent fuel shortages and the corporation’s acknowledgment that its substantial debt to fuel suppliers is threatening the sustainability of fuel supplies across the country.
The NNPCL’s financial struggles have exacerbated the already fragile fuel supply chain, causing further instability. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, expressed his concerns over the escalating cost of living, the arbitrary increases in petrol prices, and the resulting scarcity. Falana emphasized the need to investigate what he described as a “monumental fraud” in Nigeria’s fuel importation process.
During the protest, demonstrators chanted solidarity songs and carried banners with messages such as “We are tired of fuel scarcity and stories on why refineries are not working,” “No direction under Kyari,” and “We want accountability in the affairs of NNPCL.” The protesters criticized the leadership under Kyari, calling for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the nation’s oil resources.
Aminu Abbas, Convener of the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations, addressed the media at Unity Fountain, questioning why Nigeria, despite its rich oil resources, continues to suffer from severe fuel scarcity. Abbas called for immediate action to resolve the ongoing crisis and to ensure that the country’s refineries are operating efficiently.
In his statement, Abbas urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders to take decisive action, stating, “The fuel scarcity we endure today is not just a mere inconvenience; it is a calculated perpetuation of suffering. Under Mr. Kyari’s leadership, the situation has gone from bad to worse, with no end in sight. What has he done to alleviate this crisis? It is clear he seems intent on maintaining a status quo that benefits only a select few while the masses suffer.”
The protesters demanded that Kyari be removed from his position and that the NNPCL undergo significant reforms to better serve the interests of all Nigerians.
