The Amalgamated Arewa Youth Groups, AAYG, have condemned recent protests calling for the dismissal of Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, describing them as a “manipulative attempt” by monopolistic interests to derail ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s oil sector.
The group, in a statement, claimed that the protests, which took place at NNPCL Towers and pointed out issues such as fuel queues, were orchestrated by powerful individuals with vested interests. These individuals, the youth group argued, aim to disrupt Mr. Kyari’s efforts to reform and stabilise the energy sector.
AAYG alleged that the group which stormed the NNPCL Towers demanding the removal of Mele Kyari from his position were idle individuals hired to support the monopolistic tendencies of oil businessmen.
The group described the protester’s claims of persistent fuel queues as a reason for their agitation as a misleading narrative which is not only inaccurate but serves to obfuscate the real challenges facing the oil industry in Nigeria.
It alleged that certain senior insiders within NNPCL, threatened by Kyari’s reforms, are attempting to undermine his leadership, viewing his career trajectory as an obstacle to their own ambitions.
According to Victor Duniya, Publicity Secretary of the Amalgamated Arewa Youth Groups, the protest reflects an attempt by figures who have monopolised other industries to extend similar practices into the oil and gas sector.
“We have reliable information suggesting that the sponsors of the protest are some top management staff of the NNPCL who feel the sterling career of Mele Kyari is stunting their growth, hence, eliminating him from the position is the only assurance for their growth.
“This is a clear case of internal sabotage, which must be investigated and the culprits brought to book for unethical conduct.
“Again, we cannot ignore the reality that the calls for Mr Kyari’s removal seem to come from those who have successfully monopolised the cement value chain and wish to entrench similar models in the oil and gas sector.
“Their actions directly undermine the efforts of individuals like Mr Kyari who are pursuing a genuine agenda of energy security and economic stabilisation.
“The detrimental effects of cement monopolists are a lesson we should heed, and instead of pushing for narrow interests, our focus should be on advocating for transparency and competition within the oil industry,” the statement read further.
The groups called on President Bola Tinubu to maintain his support for Kyari and to initiate an investigation into the alleged insiders attempting to discredit him.
“We wish to call on President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order a thorough investigation to unravel the sponsors of the protest, especially, insiders who are doing the devil’s job. This will serve as a deterrent to others, ” the group added.
The youth group finally appealed to Nigerians, particularly youths, to focus on constructive dialogue that addresses genuine issues facing the nation, calling for unity in support of a secure and self-sufficient energy sector, and urging youth leaders to advocate for national progress and resist exploitation by “those with ulterior motives.”