By Ovie Okpare
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has commended President Bola Tinubu for removing the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari.
CNPP described the President’s decision as being pivotal to the nation’s oil and gas industry, noting that there was a need for the Tinubu’s administration to conduct a forensic audit of the Kyari-led board of NNPCL.
A statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, hailed the action as a vital step toward restoring accountability, efficiency, and transparency in a sector that has long been shrouded in allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria expressed its gratitude for President Tinubu’s decisive leadership, stating that Nigerians have endured years of economic hardship fueled by inefficiencies and alleged large-scale corruption within NNPCL.
It noted that these challenges have exacerbated the country’s struggles, with high transportation costs contributing to soaring food prices that have burdened millions of families. According to the CNPP, this bold move by the president signals a readiness to confront deep-seated issues in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
CNPP stressed that “while it applauds the leadership change, simply replacing Mele Kyari is insufficient to address the root causes of the oil sector’s problems. The organization has reiterated its long-standing demand for a thorough forensic audit of NNPCL’s operations during Kyari’s tenure.”
The statement emphasised that without such an investigation, the new management would inherit a foundation weakened by years of alleged financial irregularities, inefficiencies, and questionable practices.
“The CNPP has raised serious concerns about the management of NNPCL under Kyari, asserting that the Nigerian people deserve transparency and accountability regarding the operations of the national oil company. The group urged President Tinubu to authorise an independent forensic audit covering all aspects of NNPCL’s accounts, crude oil sales, and subsidy disbursements during Kyari’s tenure. It argued that this audit is crucial not only for understanding the extent of mismanagement but also for implementing reforms that will stabilize the oil.
“CNPP underscores the critical importance of Nigeria’s oil industry to the nation’s economy, warning that without urgent and radical reforms, the suffering of Nigerians would persist. It called on anti-corruption agencies, civil society organizations, and the National Assembly to support its demand for justice, urging all stakeholders to play an active role in ensuring accountability within NNPCL.
“The oil sector cannot remain a black hole where billions of dollars disappear without accountability. The time to act is now!” Ezema stated.
