Abuja CSOs hold solidarity rally for NNPC GCEO, Kyari, Tompolo, counter opposing groups
By Matthew Denis
A Coalition of 65 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has held a solidarity rally in support of the transformation stride of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kolo Kyari and other top executives, as Adokiye Tombomieye, Mr. Wunto Bala of the company.
The Coalition which cuts across the six geopolitical zones have kicked against the malicious and baseless protest earlier organised against the top management of the NNPCL and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo by a so-called group Northern Youths Advocacy for good Governance and Arewa Youths Group.
Speaking to Journalists, the Convener, Dr Hamza Talba said “We are here this evening to counter a sponsored group who called themselves ‘Northern youths Advocacy and Arewa Group’ who came to Protest against the top executives of the NNPCL Management today.
“Ordinarily, we shouldn’t have responded to the event that took place at the prestigious NNPCL Tower in our nation Capital but because they have the intention to cause chaos and raise eyebrows against the workaholic management of NNPCL.
“It becomes necessary to respond in this order to categorically state that Kyari and his team have been working tirelessly to ensure enough availability of the petrol products to citizens and curbing the activities of oil thefts in the sector.
“With the space of military coup across the African countries, it’s unfair for the protesters to distract the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians which this unwholesome circumstance can lead the country into anarchy and tension.
“The protesters were not able to establish rational objectives to back their claims with facts, rather they were sponsored to maliciously tarnish the image of NNPCL GCEO and other top executives.
“We sympathise with the one-sided sentiment as we genuine Arewa Youths are resolute and fully grounded to support the affairs of the oil mangers.”
Dr. Talba stressed that President Bola Tinubu is working round the clock to provide palliatives to cushion the suffering of Nigerians with the removal of fuel subsidy.
He appealed to those that are aggrieved with the limestone performances of the NNPCL Management Team to seek redress through legal means not resort to organising cheap protests.
Also speaking, a Co-Convener, Comrade Momos Wilberforce emphasised that the top management of NNPCL are technocrats and not politicians, therefore people shouldn’t drag them into politics through baseless protest.
He appealed to President Tinubu to renew the pipeline surveillance contract to Chief Tompolo which was awarded to him by the previous government.
According to him, Chief Tompolo is doing exceptional work by eliminating the activities of oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region, saying he deserves a second term for the contract.
“To avoid continuous illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region, we are appealing to Mr. President to renew the contract of pipeline surveillance to Chief Tompolo considering his effective strategies in surveillance, thereby bringing the situation to calm,” he said.
He also urged the NNPCL Management to expand the budgetary of the pipeline surveillance contract to include other leaders in the region.
Leaders of the coalition in other regions also expressed their total support for the Kyari and team to carry-on with the good work in the energy sector and advised the Arewa Youths to support the government of President Tinubu.
The solidarity rally witnessed massive turnout of women and youths displaying placards and chatting songs in support of the NNPCL Management Team and Chief Tompolo.
