In a wave of growing discontent, demonstrators took to the streets of Abuja, demanding the immediate removal of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, due to the ongoing fuel scarcity that has plagued the country.
The protest was sparked by the NNPC Limited’s recent admission that its substantial debt to suppliers was jeopardizing the sustainable supply of fuel across Nigeria.
The corporation acknowledged that this financial strain was exerting significant pressure on its operations, threatening the stability of fuel availability nationwide.
Chanting solidarity songs, the protesters 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.”
Their demands for change were clear: immediate action to address the fuel crisis and greater transparency within the NNPC.
Speaking to reporters at Unity Fountain in Abuja, Aminu Abbas, the convener of the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations, expressed frustration over Nigeria’s persistent fuel shortages despite being an oil-rich nation.
Abbas called on President Bola Tinubu and other leaders to take decisive action.
“To President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and all those in positions of power, we say the time to act is now. Show us that you stand with the people, not those who profit from our misery.
Mr. Kyari must be shown the way out, and the NNPCL must be reformed to serve the interests of all Nigerians. We will not be silenced,” Abbas declared.
He further criticized Kyari’s leadership, 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’ grievances highlighted the daily struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians, who continue to endure long queues, inflated prices, and uncertainty about fueling their vehicles or powering their homes.
As the situation worsens, the call for accountability and reform within the NNPC grows louder, with many Nigerians hoping for swift and effective changes to ease their suffering.
(Nation)
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