Joel Ajayi

The Amalgamated Arewa Youth Groups stand firmly against the recent calls for the sack of Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), following a protest that aimed to discredit his leadership. In light of these events, we wish to express our unequivocal support for Mr. Kyari and categorically condemn the motives behind the protest.

In a Statement signed by Signed the Publicity Secretary  Amalgamated Arewa Youth Groups Comrade Victor Duniya on Tuesday in Abuja reveals that on Monday, a group of idle individuals, stormed the NNPCL Towers demanding the removal of Mele Kyari from his position. 

According to the statement,  the group cited persistent fuel queues as justification for their demands. However, we find it laughable to use the existence of fuel queues as a basis for such protest when, in our assessment, there have been no significant queues at fuel stations across the nation lately. This misleading narrative is not only inaccurate but serves to obfuscate the real challenges facing the oil industry in Nigeria.

“The youth who participated in this protest demonstrate how the oil industry has become a playground for hirelings of a powerful oil cabal who seek to manipulate public sentiment for their gain.

” The motivations behind this protest seem deeply entrenched in personal interest rather than collective welfare. It is imperative to understand that the Oil sector, like many other industries, operates within a market structure where various actors and stakeholders have stakes, and the call for Mr Kyari’s resignation only seeks to disrupt the ongoing progress in the energy sector, which he has devotedly worked towards.

“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 culprit, be 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 need for a skilled and experienced leader like Mele Kyari cannot be exaggerated. Under his guidance, NNPCL has seen significant strides towards optimising the nation’s oil production and distribution systems. By fostering an environment where the forces of demand and supply dictate pricing, Mr Kyari has advocated for a more competitive energy market—a principle that favours consumers and businesses alike. We implore our supporters to recognise the virtues of having someone at the helm who understands both the technical and managerial aspects of the oil industry.

“As representatives of the Arewa youth, we advocate for constructive engagement rather than confrontation. While dissent and peaceful protest form an integral part of democracy, they must be based on facts and geared towards constructive criticism, dialogue, and eventual resolution. The recent protests, however, lack a foundation in truth and appear driven by elements with ulterior motives that jeopardise our collective progress.

“In light of the prevailing circumstances, we encourage civil discourse among youth and community leaders to deliberate on the real issues facing the nation—issues that require our collective resolve and innovative solutions. To this end, we urge all young Nigerians to rise above petty grievances and work towards the common goal of national progress.

The statement added that: “We therefore wish to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to continue to support Mele Kyari in his quest for energy security. We are at a critical juncture where his support of exemplary leaders can propel Nigeria into a new era of energy self-sufficiency. We should not allow unfounded protests to derail the progress made thus far. This is a time for unity and resilience, where the Government must render its support to individuals committed to serving their country with honour and integrity.

“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. 

“Finally, the Amalgamated Arewa Youth Groups stand resolutely with Mele Kyari and call for an end to the futile attempts to undermine his leadership. The challenges facing the oil sector necessitate experienced hands at the helm. We must not be swayed by the machinations of a few who seek to monopolise the industry to the detriment of our society.”

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