Nigerian Lawmakers Demand Resignation of NNPCL CEO Over Alleged Mismanagement

Fifteen lawmakers from the Nigerian House of Representatives have called for the resignation of Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), citing alleged mismanagement under his leadership. The lawmakers, who are part of the Economy Rescue Group, claim that Kyari’s leadership has been responsible for the woes faced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In a press statement signed by Honourable Esosa Iyawe, the lawmakers insist that Kyari should be suspended pending the outcome of a forensic investigation into the state of the national oil company and the downstream and midstream sectors. They accuse Kyari and other management staff of undermining Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and claim that the petroleum sector remains the backbone of the nation’s economy.

The lawmakers point to several alleged anomalies, including the presence of middlemen in trading, indiscriminate issuance of licenses, unavailability of laboratories to check adulterated products, and the influx of adulterated products into the country. They also accuse the NNPCL management of unfair subsidisation of PMS and other petroleum products, racketeering, and favouritism in the Pro Forma Invoice System (PFI) regime.

The lawmakers declare that these issues must be addressed to avoid any act of sabotage and to give room for unhindered probe. They also recall that Honourable Esosa Iyawe recently moved a motion in the House, calling on the Federal Government to suspend the CEO of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, pending investigation into his remark about quality of petroluem products at Dangote Refinery.

The lawmakers’ demands come as the House of Representatives is conducting a forensic investigation into the state of the national oil company and the downstream and midstream sectors. The investigation is aimed at uncovering the truth behind the alleged mismanagement and to identify the culprits responsible for the woes faced by the sector.

The controversy surrounding Kyari’s leadership has sparked heated debates in Nigeria, with many calling for his resignation or suspension. The lawmakers’ demands are seen as a major blow to Kyari’s leadership, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the allegations.