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Kyari-Must-Go: More groups, N’Delta activists vow to join protests, want NNPCL boss sacked within 72 hrs.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
More troubles for the embattled Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, as more groups have signed up to join the two million man protest against his continued occupation of the exalted office.
This is coming at a time when some notable Niger Delta activists have issued 72 hours ultimatum for the sack of Kyari as the GCEO of the nation’s apex oil regulatory body, failure which would compel them to occupy the streets in Abuja and Port Harcourt.
In a press statement signed and made available to newsmen Thursday morning by Comrade Jack Dickson and Barr. Kingsley Idono, President and Secretary, respectively, on behalf of Niger Delta Activists for Renewed Hope (NDARH), the group lamented the non functioning of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries, despite the trillions of naira injected for their rehabilitation, under Kyari.
“The man Mele Kyari, with careful examination, should be the richest Nigerian and 2nd most powerful man in Nigeria, aside the President. What was his worth before he became the GCEO?
“Even when he was just the GMD of NNPC, he was not this powerful, as his fate was dangling with the then President Muhammad Buhari. But the moment the Petroleum Investment Bill became an Act, Kyari became a demigod. He became so powerful that he believes no one could remove him – not even the President.
“That’s why he continues to propound and promote all the obnoxious and anti people policies and actions that have kept Nigerians in perpetual hardship and anguish, and advertently frustrating the good intentions of the Minister of Petroleum, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and his Renewed Hope Agenda for the masses as promised.
“Despite trillions of naira the government injected to making sure our refineries were rehabilitated, non is functioning and the man who should bury his head in shame and resign honourably, to give way to someone who would revive the plants from comatose and end incessant queues in our filing stations and crash the pump price to enable Nigerians smile again; has suddenly become more powerful than all Nigerians.
“After shifting the goalposts constantly until the September 30 deadline he gave, Kyari has suddenly gone dumb. He has refused to address Nigerians on why the refineries are still not working, as he promised, despite the billions of dollars he received.
“We in Niger Delta Activists for Renewed Hope will not keep quiet and allow an individual sabotage the agenda of Mr. President. We know how much we suffered to deliver this government in our region and Port Harcourt and Warri refineries were part of the promises we made to our people. Another election cycle is coming in 2027, we don’t know what to tell the people to win their votes again. That’s why we must all rise up to fight this ineptitude of Mele Kyari”, the statement reads.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Corruption in Energy Sector, has confirmed that more organizations were indicating interest to join the ongoing protest against the NNPCL boss.
Engr. Efe Irabor, the Spokesperson for the Coalition, while disclosing this in a statement on Wednesday, said Nigerians were already fed up with Kyari and his men, hence the national consciousness of the people to take their destiny in their own hands.
“We shall continue to mobilize more people until we gather 10 million Nigerians to protest on the streets of Abuja, Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna. We have plenty Comrades coming to sign up on behalf of their organizations and we are happy that everyone is beginning to see reason with us that Kyari must go. If the President likes it, let him keep him, until his government becomes very unpopular and the international community starts sanctioning the Nigerian government for being responsible for whatever will become of all of us at the long run”, Irabor said.
It would be recalled that, the coalition mobilized other Civil Society Groups and shut down National Assembly complex on Tuesday with the Kyari-Must-Go protest.
The 2-million anti-Kyari protesters are demanding immediate resignation of the NNPCL boss, Kyari or his sack by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Tinubu, who also doubles as the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources.
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Insecurity: Okpebholo meets security chiefs over killings, abductions

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Monday, said security remains a top priority of his administration as he moved to halt killings and abductions in the state.
The governor revealed this on his verified X handle, as he held a meeting with security chiefs and key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to enhance security across the state.
The governor’s pledge came as the daily protest in Ekpoma over the alleged killing of a suspected “Yahoo boy” by the police last week continued on Monday.
In the past few weeks, there have been clashes between farmers and alleged produce thieves in Ovia, which was said to have claimed 22 lives.
Also, cases of kidnapping have been on the rise as 21-year-old Seminarian, Peter Andrew, of the St.Peter Catholic Church in the Ivukwa Community, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state was killed last Thursday by his abductors.
He was kidnapped on March 3 alongside Rev Fr Peter Ekweli, who had been freed and reunited with the church.
Speaking against the backdrop of the killings and abductions, Okpebholo said discussions during the security meeting focused on proactive measures to tackle security challenges, restore peace, and ensure the citizens can live, work and conduct business without fear.
The governor said, “Earlier today (Monday), I convened a Security Council Meeting with security chiefs and key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to enhance security across Edo State.
“Our discussions focused on proactive measures to tackle security challenges, restore peace, and ensure that citizens can live, work, and conduct business without fear.
“Security remains a top priority on our administration’s agenda because where there is security, there is progress.
“This administration is committed to building a safer, more prosperous Edo for all.”
Speaking during the protest in Ekpoma, a resident told The PUNCH that the crisis started last week.
He said the police stopped a car at a checkpoint while the driver took to his heels after he was stopped.
In the process, one of the police officers shot the fleeing suspect, leading to his death, while his brother, who was with him in the car was arrested and taken to the state command headquarters in Benin.
The resident said, “The boy who is suspected to be involved in Internet fraud known as Yahoo Yahoo was stopped by the police, but he opened his car and took to his heels.
“One of the officers shot him, and he died. His brother was in the car with hi,m and he was arrested and taken to the state command in Benin.
“Members of the community have been protesting since then. Today (Monday), they moved to Ambrose Alli University, hoping that the students will join the protest but the school is not in session.”
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Oborevwori advocates for a reduction in housing rents

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has appealed to real estate firms in the state to help in reducing the cost of rents payable on rented properties in the state.
The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Johnson Erijo, made the appeal on Monday at the 13th anniversary/annual convention of Property World Africa Network Marketing Company in Asaba, the state capital.
“I would like to use this medium to appeal to real estate organisations to help in reducing the cost of rents payable on rented properties.
“The current skyrocketing rents are not sustainable, especially for public service workers. I urge you to apply your innovative skills to find ways to make housing more affordable,” he said.
The governor lauded the visionary leadership of the company, stating that it had redefined excellence in the real estate sector.
He said, “As we reflect on PWAN’s journey, we must applaud the visionary leadership that propelled this company from its humble beginnings in 2012 to become a key player in Africa’s real estate sector.
“Over the past 13 years, PWAN has not only expanded its market presence but has also redefined excellence in the real estate sector.
“Its ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver top-notch real estate solutions has earned it the trust of clients and investors nationwide.”
The Global President and immediate-past Group Managing Director of PWAN, Dr Obioma Onwumere, described the firm as an empowerment industry.
“This is a gathering of entrepreneurs here in Asaba. PWAN group is not just only in the real estate business but it’s an empowerment industry.
“The mandate of the PWAN group is that each affiliate will empower 10 and that 10 will empower another 10, which will continue in that circle.
“Together, PWAN will change the face of empowerment in Nigeria,” he said.
In his remarks shortly after his appointment, the Acting Managing Director of PWAN group, Prof Julius Oyedemi, pledged to uphold the vision of the company.
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Court reserves judgment in Obasa’s suit challenging impeachment as Lagos Speaker

Justice Yetunde Pinheiro of the Lagos State High Court on Monday reserved judgment in the suit filed by the reinstated Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who is challenging the legality of the January 13, 2025 proceedings that led to his initial removal.
The judge heard several preliminary objections by various counsel representing the defendants and said the date to deliver the judgment and rulings would be communicated to parties in due course.
Earlier when the matter came up, Obasa’s counsel Prof. Joshua Olatoke (SAN), urged the court to assume jurisdiction to hear the matter.
He argued that the House was in recess at the time the lawmakers convened illegally on January 13, 2025, without duly informing either the Speaker or the Majority Leader, who has the power to reconvene any session during recess.
However, counsel for the Assembly, Mr Femi Falana, (SAN), opposed the suit brought by way of originating summons.
Falana contended that the proceedings of March 3, 2025, which saw the reelection of Obasa as Speaker, had overtaken the earlier proceedings.
But one of the lead counsel representing the 3rd to the 35th defendants, Olu Daramola (SAN), in his argument stated that the removal of the Speaker was an internal affair of the House, which the courts cannot interfere in.
He added that the proceedings of January 13, 2025 were valid, having been held in the Assembly and the decision taken to remove the Speaker was taken by more than the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority of the members.
On his part, the lead counsel representing the 36th to the 40th defendants, who are in support of the claimant’s action, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), argued that the January 13, 2025 sitting was done in clear violation of the rules governing the House of Assembly, which empowers the court to assume jurisdiction to hear the case.
In the preliminary objection filed by the Assembly, Falana contended that Obasa’s suit should be dismissed by the court as it was instituted without a pre-action notice known to law issued by the House of Assembly.
He also argued that the House had the right to appoint and remove the Speaker and other principal officers of the House, without the court’s interference.
Falana added that by virtue of Obasa’s reelection as Speaker, and Mojisola Meranda being restored to her previous position of Deputy Speaker on March 3, 2025, the case had become academic.
The counsel representing Meranda, as well as the 33 lawmakers also argued similar motions for the suit to be dismissed, saying it was an abuse of judicial processes as the Speaker agreed to be reelected and yet, he is still suing the House of Assembly.
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