The Amalgamated Civil Societies of Nigeria (ACN) has urged the general public, social media users, and well-meaning Nigerians that after thorough investigations, it has uncovered a coordinated plot by faceless actors within the “Dirty Oil Mafia” to sponsor fabricated stories and protests against Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, the immediate-past Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
These elements, driven by motives yet unexplained, aim to pitch the current administration against Kyari through extortion, mischief, and unsubstantiated claims devoid of empirical evidence.
This was contained in a statement Thursday by its Convener, Comrade Wale Adegoke and Secretary, Malam Musa Abdullahi.
“Their tactics include fallacies, unverifiable accusations, and a deliberate campaign to tarnish the reputation of the former GMD, who transformed the oil and gas sector during his tenure,” the statement explained.
ACN categorically condemned this orchestrated smear campaign as it is evident that disgruntled oil magnates and monopolistic gangs, threatened by Kyari’s reforms, are conspiring to reverse the milestones achieved under his leadership.
According to the statement, their clandestine plot seeks to destabilize the sector and return Nigeria to an era of perpetual dependence on imported petroleum products.
The ACN warned these self-centred actors to desist from heating the polity with baseless schemes against Kyari noting that failure to do so will force the organization to expose their identities and nefarious economic plans against Nigeria.
It pointed out the recent rumours of Kyari’s arrest or investigation are mere fabrications by fifth columnists working to undermine national progress.
It said these same forces frustrated efforts to rehabilitate Nigeria’s refineries and now seek to scapegoat Kyari for resisting their exploitative agenda.
ACN stressed that Kyari’s Legacy of patriotism is endless as Nigerians are witnesses to his transformative efforts in the oil sector.
“He stood firm against attempts by shadowy entities to acquire national assets at giveaway prices, often through non-competitive and unpatriotic means. These same individuals, who mismanaged privatized public corporations, now resort to blackmail to conceal their failures,” the statement remarked.
The organization urged Nigerians to ignore these sponsored attacks explaining that Kyari’s refusal to edge out Oando PLC in favour of monopolistic interests, as well as his resistance to unethical deals, has angered these cabals.
It said “Their desperation includes covertly funding opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration while posing as allies.”
Besides, the ACN acknowledged the prerogative of the new NNPCL GMD, Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, to implement reforms aligned with President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
However, it rejected attempts by fifth columnists to misinterpret administrative changes as indictments of Kyari’s tenure.
Kyari, the ACN stressed, is currently free and unencumbered by legal issues, deserves a peaceful retirement after five years of meritorious service.
“Nigeria must rise above the greed of monopolistic cabals seeking to profit at the nation’s expense,” the organization noted, emphasizing that Nigeria belongs to a generation committed to competence, competition, and progress—not monopoly.
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