CSO accuses defunct CNPP of being used to ‘blackmail’ Mele Kyari

The Coalition for Good Governance and Open Leadership in Nigeria, says a faction of the defunct Conference of Nigeria Political Party (CNPP) is involved in the plot to blackmail the management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and Mele Kyari, the group chief executive officer.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, Declan Ihekaire, the international coordinator of the civil society organisation, claimed that one George Udoh, a whistle-blower, is the sponsor of the “many spurious allegations” against Kyari.

He said the CSO is actively involved in investigating NNPC and its management over “efforts made by the company in respect of the removal of fuel subsidies”.

Ihekaire said though it is important for citizens and stakeholders to demand for transparency from public institutions, allegations of financial mismanagement should not be used as a political weapon to achieve ulterior motives.

“Over the past few weeks, there has been a sustained campaign of calumny, against the management and the group Chief Executive of the Nation’s flagship oil company, that is, the NNPC,” he said.

“We have since noticed a series of attempts, by some individuals, masquerading as crime investigators and civil society leaders, to exploit the series of questions that have been raised by Nigerians, in respect of the activities of the NNPC, in order to blackmail and extort the company.

“Earlier today, we were confronted with another in the series of the desperation of these elements, in their premeditated plot to blackmail the management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and its Chief Executive, Mr. Mele Kyari, by the Conference of Nigeria Political Party (CNPP), who after due diligence, we realized was being sponsored by one Mr George Udoh, a self-acclaimed billionaire whistleblower.”

On June 16, Gudaji Kazaure, a former member of the house of representatives, called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate Kyari over the diversion of payment of petrol subsidy.