By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Abuja
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s removal of Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), calling for a forensic audit of the corporation’s finances under his leadership.
In a statement issued by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, CNPP described the decision as a necessary step to restore credibility and transparency in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, which has long been plagued by allegations of financial mismanagement.
“For years, Nigerians have suffered the consequences of inefficiencies in the oil sector, ranging from fuel scarcity to skyrocketing food prices due to high transportation costs,” Ezema stated. “While Kyari’s removal is a step in the right direction, it is not enough. There must be a comprehensive forensic audit to unravel how the NNPCL was managed under his leadership.”
The group emphasized that the audit should cover all aspects of crude oil sales, subsidy disbursements, and financial transactions to ensure that past errors are corrected and future mismanagement is prevented. CNPP further urged anti-corruption agencies, the National Assembly, and civil society organizations to support the call for accountability in the petroleum sector.
The umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria stressed that without urgent reforms, the suffering of Nigerians would persist. It warned that allowing the sector to operate without accountability would continue to drain the nation’s economy and frustrate efforts at economic recovery.
“The oil industry cannot remain a cash cow for a privileged few while millions of Nigerians grapple with economic hardship,” Ezema added. “This is an opportunity for President Tinubu to demonstrate true commitment to reforming the sector and ensuring that public funds serve the people.”
CNPP’s call adds to growing demands for transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, following years of concerns over alleged large-scale corruption in the management of crude oil revenues and fuel subsidy payments.