CNPP Demands Suspension of NNPC Boss, Mele Kyari, for Probe into Subsidy Scam, Substandard Imports, Refinery Mismanagement
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has expressed outrage over the recent controversies surrounding the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), including allegations of subsidy scams, importation of substandard petroleum products, and mismanagement of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
In a statement signed by Comrade James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the CNPP, the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria demanded that President Bola Tinubu takes immediate action to address these issues by suspending the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, and launching a thorough public probe into several allegations against the management of the government owned company.
The CNPP noted that the recent pump price hike from N167 to about N700 per litre under the guise of endless subsidy removal has not alleviated the nationwide shortage of petrol, causing immense hardship for Nigerians.
The CNPP accused Mele Kyari’s leadership of being marked by controversy and failure, and his inability to address these issues makes him unfit to continue in his role.
The CNPP also highlighted the allegation of subsidy scam, which it described as “particularly egregious,” and the reported statement by Emir Sanusi that “people in NNPC don’t want their lucrative subsidy scam to end” as a damning indictment of the company’s leadership.
Furthermore, the CNPP expressed concern over the importation of substandard petroleum products, which poses a significant risk to the health and safety of Nigerians, and the NNPC Limited’s failure to ensure the quality of these products under its current leadership.
The CNPP also criticized the endless rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, despite the huge sums of money already spent, as another testament to the mismanagement and inefficiency that plagues NNPC Limited.
The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria recalled the 2022 incident where NNPC Limited, under Mele Kyari’s supervision, imported and supplied adulterated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Nigeria, and accused Mele Kyari of attempting to continue to play the victim despite his history of controversy and failure.
The CNPP called for a transparent, independent, and thorough probe into these allegations, with consequences for those found guilty of any wrongdoing.
The CNPP also demanded that President Tinubu acts now to ensure that the Nigerian people get the truth and justice they deserve without further suffering and deprivation.
The CNPP concluded by emphasizing that it is time to hold NNPC Limited accountable by immediately suspending Mele Kyari and independently probing the subsidy scam and other allegations in the Nigeria’s upstream and downstream oil sectors to save the economy and minimize hunger.
