By Emmanuel Kwada
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Comrade Shehu Sani, has dismissed a recent protest against Mele Kyari, the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), as a “sponsored project” orchestrated by disgruntled oil industry players.
Sani’s remarks come a day after a group of protesters stormed the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, demanding Kyari’s prosecution over alleged corruption during his tenure.
The protest, led by convener Kabir Matazu, took place on Tuesday at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja. The group expressed frustration over the lack of investigation into Kyari’s leadership, despite his removal—along with the entire NNPCL board—by President Bola Tinubu on April 2, 2025.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the protesters called for accountability and swift action from the federal government.
I came across some protesters at the Federal Secretariat Abuja, raising placards against the ex-NNPCL CEO Kyari
However, Senator Sani, in a sharp rebuke shared via his social media platforms, questioned the authenticity of the demonstration. “I came across some protesters at the Federal Secretariat Abuja, raising placards against the ex-NNPCL CEO Kyari.
Most of the young guys there don’t actually know what they were protesting about. They just joined,” he wrote. “It’s clearly a sponsored project by some displeased or disgruntled oil interests against Kyari.”
Sani, a vocal social commentator, went further to defend Kyari’s legacy, describing him as one of the most distinguished leaders to have helmed the NNPCL. He praised Kyari as a “dynamic business administrator, innovative manager, technocrat, and advocate for transparency and accountability,” highlighting his dexterity in leadership.
The former senator argued that Kyari’s tenure stood out for its commitment to excellence, urging Nigerians to be wary of efforts to tarnish the reputations of public servants who have served diligently.
The allegations of sponsored protests add a new layer of intrigue to the ongoing discourse surrounding Kyari’s exit from the NNPCL. While the protesters insist on a probe into his administration, Sani’s claims suggest a deeper power play within Nigeria’s oil sector, where vested interests may be clashing over influence and control.
People should not allow themselves to be used to destroy the reputation of good leaders who put their all while holding public office
As of now, neither the Attorney General’s office nor the Presidency has issued an official response to the protest or Sani’s counterclaims. The situation continues to unfold, with growing calls for clarity on the circumstances surrounding Kyari’s departure and the future of Nigeria’s oil industry leadership.
Shehu Sani concluded his statement with a cautionary note: “People should not allow themselves to be used to destroy the reputation of good leaders who put their all while holding public office.” Whether his words will shift public perception or fuel further debate remains to be seen.
