Amidst growing controversy surrounding the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) $6 billion debt to petrol suppliers, a Northern advocacy group known as the Arewa Democratic Front (ADF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to take immediate and decisive action.

The ADF, through its National Coordinator, Engineer Mustafa Yusuf, and National Secretary, Malam Muazu Haruna, urged the president to address the persistent fuel crisis by suspending Mele Kyari, the current Group CEO of NNPCL.

The group’s call for action comes after NNPCL’s Chief Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the existence of the substantial debt, a burden that has worsened the company’s ability to meet its financial obligations and manage its operations efficiently.

This financial strain has been accompanied by a worsening fuel crisis, with petrol prices soaring to over N1,000 per liter in certain parts of the country.

According to the ADF, this alarming situation is a direct result of Kyari’s leadership and the widespread inefficiency that has plagued the NNPCL.

They expressed frustration over the impact of these inefficiencies on ordinary Nigerians, who are already struggling under severe economic conditions.

The group lamented that despite Nigeria being a country rich in oil resources, citizens continue to face extreme fuel shortages and unreasonably high prices, compounding the hardships faced by the masses.

The ADF also criticized the mismanagement of the petroleum sector, pointing to long queues at petrol stations as evidence of NNPCL’s failure.

This, they argued, is an ongoing reminder of the company’s inability to effectively manage the country’s oil resources.

More concerning, however, is the revelation of a staggering $6 billion debt, allegedly accrued through covert fuel subsidy payments, despite the official cancellation of fuel subsidies more than a year ago.

The group raised serious concerns about the transparency and accountability of NNPCL’s leadership under Kyari, questioning how such a massive debt could accumulate in the first place.

The ADF went further to accuse the NNPCL of engaging in questionable practices, including unfair fuel subsidy schemes, racketeering, and the involvement of middlemen, all of which have worsened the fuel crisis.

They specifically pointed to the NNPCL’s acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing and the liberal issuance of licenses to private operators as examples of corruption within the corporation.

These actions, according to the group, have only deepened public mistrust and threaten the credibility of President Tinubu’s administration.

In addition, the ADF criticized Kyari for his failure to rehabilitate Nigeria’s refineries despite having access to sufficient resources.

The group rejected recent proposals to hand over the management of these refineries to private firms, calling it another scheme to defraud the nation under the guise of privatization.

They believe such a move would only worsen the crisis in the petroleum sector and exacerbate the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.

The Arewa Democratic Front accused Kyari of disrespecting the rule of law and operating with impunity.

They argued that such behavior should not be tolerated from a public official, especially one overseeing a sector as critical as Nigeria’s oil industry.

They called on President Tinubu to suspend Kyari to allow for a thorough investigation into the NNPCL’s financial and operational mismanagement.

Furthermore, the ADF emphasized that the continued presence of Kyari as the head of the NNPCL is a danger to Nigeria’s economic stability.

They declared that Kyari has run out of ideas and lost the moral authority to lead the corporation.

Therefore, they called for a complete overhaul of NNPCL’s leadership and demanded the appointment of a new management team free from corruption, committed to transparency, and capable of restoring public trust in the corporation.

In their statement, the group made it clear that they stand with the suffering masses and will not cease their advocacy for justice, equity, and the rule of law.

They also called on civil society organizations, concerned Nigerians, and international partners to join them in their demand for accountability in the management of Nigeria’s oil sector.

The ADF warned that the future of Nigeria depends on immediate action being taken to resolve the issues plaguing the NNPCL, restore the petroleum sector, and alleviate the suffering of the people.