An anti-corruption advocacy group, Concerned Citizens Against Corruption, has publicly commended the achievements of the immediate past Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, particularly in reviving Nigeria’s major refineries in Warri, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the group, led by Comrade Emeka Uwazurike, lauded Kyari’s leadership for the progress made in restoring long-abandoned refinery operations, which they said has positively impacted millions of Nigerians. They described the developments as “a turning point” for the country’s energy security and refining capacity.
Their statement came in response to corruption allegations recently made against Kyari by another group, allegedly led by one Comrade Kabir Matazu. This group had demanded a probe into NNPCL transactions over the past five years. However, Uwazurike’s group condemned the move, calling the allegations “frivolous and laughable” and denouncing any association with Matazu and his cohort.
The anti-corruption group expressed outrage that the Matazu-led faction allegedly misused their name to push a narrative driven by “unpatriotic political vendettas.” They insisted that the accusers are unknown to them and warned against using legitimate platforms for smear campaigns.
Highlighting Kyari’s tenure, the group credited him for restarting stalled operations at the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, with significant progress at the Kaduna Refinery. They argued that these actions contradicted the long-standing belief that the refineries were beyond repair.
They also praised Kyari’s strategic integration with private refining efforts, notably the NNPCL’s investment in the Dangote Refinery. This, they said, has expanded Nigeria’s refining capabilities and introduced competition into a previously stagnant industry.
Beyond refinery restoration, the group pointed to Kyari’s role in commercializing NNPCL, fostering foreign partnerships, and enhancing transparency in the oil and gas sector through alignment with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
Concluding their remarks, Concerned Citizens Against Corruption demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of individuals impersonating the organization, warning that such impersonation undermines genuine anti-corruption advocacy and must be punished to deter similar acts in the future.
