Warri, Delta State, Nigeria – A coalition of 26 youth associations from the Niger Delta region, known as the Niger Delta Coalition, organized a peaceful protest in Warri, Delta State, calling for the immediate removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari. The protesters accused Kyari of alleged misconduct, financial impropriety, misuse of authority, lack of vision, and poor performance, among other grievances.
The protest took place in front of the NNPC building located on the Warri/Sapele Road, which houses the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Demonstrators held placards with inscriptions like “Protect our Nation, President Tinubu sack Mele Kyari now.”
A joint statement, signed by leaders of the youth associations, was presented during the protest, cataloguing their concerns and demands.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Mr. Oris Bakpa, the National Coordinator of Niger Delta Youth Alliance, called on President Tinubu to take immediate action to remove Mele Kyari from office and initiate a comprehensive inquiry into his conduct. The protesters expressed their concerns about the state of Nigeria’s refineries, which have remained non-operational, leading to the importation of petroleum products and negatively impacting the nation’s economy.
The coalition also pointed out that the over-reliance on oil imports had contributed to high inflation rates, reaching 25.80% in August 2023, with implications for the cost of living, business environment, and economic stability. Additionally, the protesters raised concerns about the alleged irregularities in awarding oil production contracts and the lack of transparency and accountability in financial transactions related to the Federation Account.
Mr. Bakpa vowed that the coalition would continue to use peaceful demonstrations to call for Kyari’s removal and urge an investigation into NNPC’s leadership and management, particularly addressing the urgent issue of refinery rehabilitation.
In response to the protest, a senior staff member at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority advised the demonstrators to take their case to Abuja, where it could be properly addressed, rather than disrupting activities at the NNPC building.
The protest highlights the concerns of Niger Delta youth about the leadership of NNPC and its impact on the nation’s economy and transparency in the oil industry. It remains to be seen how President Tinubu and relevant authorities will respond to these demands.