This post has already been read at least 117 times!

In a dramatic turn of events that could reshape Nigeria’s oil sector, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have jointly restated their call for a full-scale judicial probe into the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), following explosive revelations by its current Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mr. Bayo Ojulari.

The two influential bodies in a statement jointly signed by Comrade James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, CNPP and Alhaji Ali Abacha, National Secretary, CNCSOs, hailed Ojulari’s courage for publicly exposing what they described as “monumental rot, neglect, and financial hemorrhage” within Nigeria’s refineries—particularly the Port Harcourt Refinery. The disclosures, made during a meeting with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on August 29, have sparked renewed calls for accountability and justice in the nation’s oil sector.

Revelations That Rocked the Sector

Mr. Ojulari revealed that NNPCL has been losing between ₦300 million to ₦500 million monthly across its refineries, with the Port Harcourt facility being a major drain. Despite injecting approximately 950,000 barrels into the refinery, less than 40 percent of the input was processed—resulting in substandard, mid-grade petroleum products due to only partial functionality of the plant.

He further clarified that the refinery’s design had been misunderstood and misrepresented for years. Contrary to the popular belief that the facility comprises “old” and “new” refineries, Ojulari explained that the systems were originally designed to operate in tandem. Years of deliberate neglect and misinformation, he said, have rendered rehabilitation efforts nearly impossible.

Vindication and Accusations

In their joint statement, CNPP and CNCSOs declared Ojulari’s revelations as a “courageous confirmation” of long-standing warnings they issued during the tenure of former NNPCL GCEO, Engr. Mele Kyari. The groups accused Kyari’s administration of sabotaging refinery operations to sustain fraudulent petroleum importation schemes, manipulating financial figures, and suppressing dissent.

“We were bullied, blackmailed, and silenced while Nigerians suffered under fuel scarcity, ballooning subsidy bills, and worsening economic hardship,” the statement read.

The coalition also questioned the legitimacy of profits declared under Kyari’s leadership, which they claim contradicted the massive subsidy claims submitted to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). They labeled these discrepancies as “deliberate deceit,” now exposed by Ojulari’s transparency.

Call for Judicial Inquiry

The CNPP and CNCSOs are demanding a forensic investigation and an independent judicial inquiry into NNPCL’s operations between 2017 and 2023. They argue that the scale of corruption is too vast for conventional anti-graft agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to handle alone.

“The suffering of Nigerians today is not accidental; it is the bitter fruit of entrenched corruption in the NNPCL,” the statement emphasized. “Until this rot is dismantled, Nigerians will remain trapped in hardship.”

The coalition urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately authorize a public and transparent probe, aimed at recovering stolen national wealth and restoring integrity to the oil sector.

Demand for Accountability

Among the most striking demands is the call for the arrest of Engr. Mele Kyari. The coalition insists that Kyari must be compelled to account for his stewardship, citing unresolved allegations including:

• Fraudulent subsidy claims
• Questionable crude oil swap deals
• Unaccounted proceeds from crude sales
• Deliberate incapacitation of Nigeria’s refineries

“Anything short of this would be an endorsement of impunity and a betrayal of the Nigerian people,” the statement warned.

A Glimmer of Hope

In closing, the CNPP and CNCSOs commended Mr. Ojulari for “lifting the veil of deceit” and reigniting hope for accountability in Nigeria. They called on President Tinubu to match Ojulari’s courage with decisive action, transforming NNPCL from a “den of corruption” into a genuine national asset.

As the nation watches closely, the fate of Nigeria’s oil sector—and its broader economic future—may hinge on whether these calls for justice are heeded.

This post has already been read at least 117 times!