CSOs, Bloggers Oppose Lawyers’ Planned Protest Against Kyari

Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) and the Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association (BAVCCA) have cautioned against the planned protest by over 1,000 lawyers, who have been calling for the sack of the group chief executive officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Engr. Mele Kyari.

A few days ago, some lawyers under the Coalition of Nigerian Legal Practitioners demanded the sack of Kyari over scarcity and arbitrary hikes in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the country.

Their demand was contained in a petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu on October 30, 2023, with the title: “Petition Against The Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Call For His Immediate Sack.”

 It was signed by Bernard Adesina, Peter Agbonghan, Igwe Chukwudi and others.

They threatened to mobilise over 1,000 lawyers to occupy NNPCL headquarters to register their displeasure.

At a joint media briefing yesterday in Abuja, the director of administration of BAVCCA and the national secretary of COCSON, Tijani Ali Danjuma, described the planned protest as “unfortunate and ill-advised.”

Ademola said any disruption caused by protest or strike will not only worsen the situation, but also adversely affect ordinary Nigerians.

He said, they have gathered to express their unwavering support for Mr Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) amid the threatened protest by 1,000 lawyers and various ethnic and civil society organisations (CSOs) concerning fuel hike and scarcity issues.

“COCSON and BAVCCA firmly believe that Mr Mele Kyari has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to the betterment of Nigeria‘s petroleum industry.

“Under his guidance, NNPCL has made significant strides in ensuring stability, accountability, and efficiency in the distribution and management of petroleum resources,” he said.