From Femi Mustapha, Kaduna
A group under the auspices of Tinubu/Shettima Mandate Actualization Group has disputed the claim by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, of having over 1.5 billion liters of petrol in its storage facilities that can last for 30 days, describing it as laughable.
This was contained in a statement signed by Abiodun Abdulrazaq and Aliyu Muh’d, President and Secretary respectively of the group.
The statement raised the question as to what happens after the 30 days window, saying this is neither the first nor the second time fuel scarcity is rocking the country under Mele Kyari.
The group warned that with the deception, Nigerians are fed up and want a change of NNPCL leadership, and added a rhetorical question as to whether Kyari is the only qualified Nigerian to lead the NNPCL?
The group further stated that its attention was drawn to a press conference held by the Reps Committee on Downstream and Midstream Sectors led by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Hon. Odianosen Henry Okojie, hailing the NNPC Ltd’s Intervention in the ongoing fuel scarcity across the country.
“We disagree with the contents of their press release and condemn their action because Nigerians are still suffering and have not felt the impact or the intervention of the NNPCL under Kyari.
“It is rather unfortunate today in Nigeria, that a Member of The House of Representatives, using other Kangaroo CSOs will come out in defense of a person who has subjected millions of Nigerians to an avoidable state of suffering. Mele Kyari’s incompetence has caused difficulties around the country, skyrocketing prices of food items and other essentials and exposing the masses to untold suffering and hardship.
“Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere ought to be leading the fight for emancipating the poor Nigerians from the shackles of suffering put around their neck by enhancers of fuel scarcity, but instead, he chose to look the other way.
“Most constituents will be ashamed of that type of representation. We are also calling on the Speaker to sack him from Chairman Downstream and the Midstream committee because the appointment given to him is of no use to the benefit of Nigerians.
“We maintain our earlier position of a deliberate attempt by these people to sabotage the renewed hope agenda, set by President Tinubu against the masses, and prevent his re-election in 2027.
“Until and Unless Kyari resigns or is sacked, queues will never disappear in filling stations, normalcy will never return and the sufferings of poor Nigerians will continue.
“In conclusion, we reiterate our commitment and once again make our stance crystal clear of going ahead with the protest as planned, we are not intimidated by the steps taken to frustrate the process and we shall press home our demands.
“Nothing will stop us from leading Nigerians to block the villa gate until President Tinubu grants our wish and sacks the only person who has inflicted more suffering and hardship on Nigerians than any person since independence,” the group claimed in the statement.
