On Monday, frustrated residents of Abuja took to the streets in a protest against the ongoing fuel scarcity, demanding the immediate dismissal of Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). The protest follows NNPCL’s recent admission that its significant debt to suppliers is jeopardizing the nation’s fuel supply chain.
The situation has drawn widespread criticism, with prominent voices like human rights lawyer Femi Falana highlighting the escalating cost of living and the frequent spikes in fuel prices, which have led to a noticeable reduction in the number of vehicles on the road.
Protesters marched through the city, chanting and carrying signs that read, “End Fuel Scarcity Now,” “Kyari Must Go,” and “Fix Our Refineries.” They criticized Kyari’s leadership, accusing him of failing to address the worsening fuel crisis that has gripped the country.
Speaking at Unity Fountain, Aminu Abbas, Convener of the Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations, expressed dismay that Nigeria, despite its rich oil reserves, continues to grapple with severe fuel shortages. Abbas called on President Bola Tinubu and other leaders to take decisive action, stressing that Kyari’s leadership has only exacerbated the crisis, which has become a source of immense suffering for ordinary Nigerians.
“The current fuel scarcity is more than just an inconvenience; it is a deliberate infliction of hardship on the populace,” Abbas stated. “Kyari has shown himself incapable of resolving this crisis. It’s time for new leadership at NNPCL—one that prioritizes the well-being of all Nigerians, not just a privileged few.”
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