The Amalgamated Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (ACN) vehemently condemns the ongoing smear campaigns targeting the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Malam Mele Kolo Kyari.
These attacks stem from his principled resistance against monopolistic practices by powerful actors in the oil sector seeking to undermine Nigeria’s economic interests for personal gain.
The ACN, a coalition of NGOs advocating for good governance reforms, economic justice, and anti-corruption measures across key sectors including energy, expressed its concern in a joint statement signed by Comrade Wale Adegoke, National Coordinator, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, General Secretary.
According to the group, Malam Kyari’s commitment to transparency and competition during his tenure reportedly clashed with entrenched monopolistic practices. The ACN criticized oil cabals and unnamed entities for allegedly sponsoring protests and misinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing progress in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The group urged the media and the Nigerian public to carefully scrutinize narratives targeting public servants who are committed to reform. “We reaffirm our commitment to supporting policies that promote transparency, competition, and economic equity,” said Comrade Adegoke.
The group said the recent protests in Nigeria and abroad, allegedly funded by oil merchants, are designed to tarnish Kyari’s legacy and mount pressure on his successor, Mr. Ojulari, to succumb to the control of vested interests. Comrade Musa Abdullahi noted that all patriotic Nigerians must reject these malicious tactics including blackmail, misinformation, and character assassination, and stand firm against forces prioritizing self-enrichment over national progress.
The ACN emphasized that Nigeria’s economy cannot thrive without a level playing field in the oil sector. The current campaigns against Kyari and former NNPCL management reflect a desperate bid to revive monopolistic control, stifle competition, and reverse gains in transparency and efficiency. Under Kyari’s leadership, the NNPCL achieved unprecedented milestones, including refinery revitalization, reduced fuel prices, and international recognition from OPEC, the IMF, and the World Bank.
“These reforms align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Buhari administration’s legacy,” said Comrade Adegoke. “The progress achieved under Kyari’s leadership must not be eroded. We call for accountability and fairness to ensure Nigeria’s energy sector thrives.”
The group warned that the threat of economic sabotage remains real. “For decades, Nigeria’s oil sector has been plagued by greed, incompetence, and lack of competition. The same actors now orchestrating protests in London and Abuja are responsible for sabotaging refineries, promoting fuel import dependency, and obstructing local productivity,” said Comrade Musa Abdullahi. “Kyari’s management broke this cycle, delivering functional refineries and operational stability, achievements these groups seek to erase.”
The statement further emphasized that eternal vigilance is needed to safeguard Nigeria’s oil sector from bad-faith actors. Stakeholders must prioritize national interest over personal gain.
The ACN strongly condemned the so-called protests, describing them as rented crowds deployed to intimidate Kyari’s successor and destabilize the sector. “We stand against tyranny and warn against tolerating these tactics,” said Comrade Adegoke.
The group called on the government and the public to safeguard reforms protecting Nigeria’s refineries and economic sovereignty, investigate and prosecute individuals behind these smear campaigns, and support ethical leadership resisting pressure from monopolistic cartels.
The ACN reaffirmed its commitment to defending Nigeria’s economic interests. Comrade Musa Abdullahi stressed that eternal vigilance is the price of preserving the gains made under Kyari’s tenure. “We stand with leaders who prioritize national progress over private profiteering,” he said.
In conclusion, the group condemned the use of unsubstantiated allegations, character attacks, and foreign-sponsored protests targeting Kyari and his former management team. “We condemn these antics in their entirety and call on Nigerians to open their eyes to the truth for democracy and national progress to thrive,” said Comrade Adegoke.
