… Say Its A Plot to Undermine Tinubu’s Administration and Reverse Oil Sector Reforms
…Warns Saboteurs to Desist or Face Public Exposure

The Amalgamated Civil Societies of Nigeria (ACN) has raised the alarm over what it describes as a coordinated smear campaign against Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). According to the group, the attacks are being orchestrated by disgruntled elements within the oil industry, referred to as the “Dirty Oil Mafia,” who are intent on reversing the progress achieved during Kyari’s tenure.

In a strongly worded press statement signed by Comrade Wale Adegoke (Convener) and Malam Musa Abdullahi (Secretary), the ACN revealed that thorough investigations had uncovered a plot by faceless actors to blackmail Kyari and falsely portray him as a liability to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“These elements, driven by unexplained motives, are attempting to pit the current administration against Mr. Kyari through a barrage of extortion, propaganda, and unsubstantiated claims,” the statement said. “Their tactics include spreading fallacies, unverifiable allegations, and staging fake protests, all aimed at tarnishing the image of a man who transformed Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”

The coalition condemned the alleged smear campaign in its entirety, describing it as the handiwork of oil monopolists threatened by Kyari’s reforms. It noted that these groups are seeking to return Nigeria to an era of total dependence on fuel imports and to reverse gains made in energy security.

According to the ACN, one of Kyari’s major offenses in the eyes of the oil cabal was his refusal to sideline companies like Oando PLC in favor of monopolistic interests. “These are the same individuals who, after mismanaging privatised national assets, now resort to blackmail and lies to shield their failures,” the group stated.

Dismissing recent rumors of Kyari’s arrest or investigation as “baseless fabrications,” the ACN described the claims as part of a broader effort by fifth columnists to destabilize the petroleum sector and undermine President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The statement also praised Kyari’s “legacy of patriotism,” citing his resistance to non-competitive acquisition of national assets and unethical deals. “Nigerians are witnesses to Kyari’s integrity and vision. He deserves peace and recognition, not persecution, after five years of meritorious service,” the group declared.

While acknowledging the right of the new NNPCL GMD, Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, to chart a fresh path for the company, the ACN warned against attempts to mischaracterize administrative changes as a repudiation of Kyari’s tenure.

In a final warning to the alleged conspirators, the ACN declared, “Enough is enough. Nigeria belongs to a generation committed to competence, competition, and progress, not monopoly. We shall resist any further attempt to tarnish patriotic citizens like Kyari.”

The group called on Nigerians, the media, and government institutions to remain vigilant and not fall for divisive propaganda, asserting that Kyari’s legacy is a national asset worth defending.

• Alleges Coordinated Campaign to Reverse Oil Sector Progress
• Warns Economic Saboteurs to Desist or Face Exposure

A coalition identified as the Amalgamated Civil Societies of Nigeria (ACN) has accused powerful interest groups within the oil industry of orchestrating a smear campaign against Mr. Mele Kolo Kyari, the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in what it describes as a desperate attempt to derail President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.

In a press statement jointly signed on Thursday, by its Convener, Comrade Wale Adegoke, and Secretary, Malam Musa Abdullahi, the coalition said it had uncovered a coordinated plot by faceless actors described as the “Dirty Oil Mafia.” These actors, according to the ACN, are sponsoring false media reports, protests, and unfounded allegations in a bid to discredit Kyari’s legacy and paint him as an obstacle to the Tinubu administration.

“These elements, driven by greed and self-interest, are attempting to sow discord between the President and Mr. Kyari by spreading lies, staging protests, and publishing fabricated storie. Their goal is to erase the transformative achievements Kyari brought to the oil and gas sector and roll back the reforms that threatened their monopoly.” the group said.

The ACN emphasized that Kyari’s tenure brought significant strides in transparency, accountability, and the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure. It noted that some of the loudest critics today are individuals and entities who felt threatened by Kyari’s insistence on fair competition and rejection of underhanded deals.

“They are angry that Kyari resisted the unethical acquisition of national assets at giveaway prices and refused to edge out companies like Oando PLC in favor of monopolistic interests. These same actors, who previously mismanaged privatized national assets, now hide behind blackmail and fake narratives to cover their tracks.” the statement read.

The group dismissed recent rumors of Kyari’s arrest or investigation as fabricated by fifth columnists, insisting that he is not under any legal scrutiny and remains a free citizen. According to the ACN, these false reports are intended to mislead the public and destabilize the Tinubu-led government.

“Kyari’s refusal to align with exploitative interests has made him a target,” the statement continued. “He deserves to retire in peace and be remembered for his patriotic service, not be vilified by those who put profit above national interest.”

While expressing confidence in the new GMD of NNPCL, Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the coalition urged him to remain focused on reforms aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, cautioning against being swayed by those seeking to rewrite history to suit their agenda.

The ACN warned the alleged cabal and their collaborators to cease their campaign of blackmail or risk public exposure. “Enough is enough. Nigeria belongs to a new generation that believes in transparency, competition, and merit, not monopoly and deceit,” the group declared.

It concluded by calling on Nigerians, media houses, and relevant stakeholders to remain alert and avoid being used as tools in a dangerous plot to destabilize national progress and destroy the reputation of those who have served the country with integrity.

The National Youth Council of Nigeria and all youth groups in the country have condemned in strong terms what the described as media trials and the desperation to tarnish the image and reputation of Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate.

In a statement signed by the NYCN President, Amb. Solomon Adodo and made available to journalist in Abuja, the group underscored the importance of information in a democratic and developing society and frowned at those whose stock in trade is misinformation for political and selfish reasons.

According to the statement, “information is key, especially in a democratic society like ours. Accurate and reliable information about national issues and events is the cornerstone of objective journalism. However, some mischief makers have mastered the act of misinformation through twisted logic and deliberate falsehood to sway public sentiments and blackmail their adversaries.

“The recent controversy surrounding the conviction off Professor Peter Ogban and the deliberate attempt to link his criminal record with the impeccable personality of Senate Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Nigerian Senate is one of the dangerous manifestations of falsehood deliberately targeted at the character and personality of an innocent man.

“To those who feel Senator Godswill Akpabio is a threat to them, nothing is too inglorious for them to do in order to paint him bad light. First, it was Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan who was pushed forward to contest supremacy with the Senate President on the floor of the Senate over an issue clearly sorted out in the Senate Standing Orders.

“When she was slapped a suspension which she rightly merited, she resorted to lies and blackmail. This was simply a script to discredit the Senate President but again she failed as even the courts found no merit in her fabrications and desperation.

“Another script from the Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan camp which was designed to implicate the Senate President in an organ harvesting scandal, similar to what happened to Senator Ike Ikweremadu was also uncovered. A certain Dr. Sandra did not just refuse to be involved into an unethical conduct but went ahead and exposed those who were behind it. This falsehood and negativity also failed and with a perpetual hatred for the Senate President, the vultures are out to score cheap points over the recent conviction of Professor Peter Ogban.

“The misinformation that the Senate President benefitted from or committed electoral fraud following the conviction of Prof. Peter Ogban, a former INEC Returning Officer, is highly misleading and just one of the many sinister plots aimed at undermining the current administration.

“If not deliberate mischief, how can any right thinking individual conclude that Ogban rigged the election in favour of Akpabio when in reality, he announced Akpabio’s opponent as the winner and it was at the tribunal that Akpabio regained his mandate?

“This is nothing but deliberate, sponsored and calculated falsehood and misinformation intended to harm the towering political image of the Senate President who has been seen by many lovers of democracy as an ideal candidate for President after Tinubu’s 8 years.

“It is a dangerous enterprise for anybody to willfully distort very obvious facts like these just because they want to score cheap political points. To even think that very highly placed Nigerians believed this twisted falsehood and even propagated it on notable media channels is disheartening.

“As Nigerians, the exposition of this deviously orchestrated misinformation charade should awaken us to be more critical of whatever we see in the media especially against persons with distinguished track records. We must put aside our biases, political differences as well as personal interests and unite towards fighting our common enemies.

The text ended by urging the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio “to remain steadfast and committed in his duties”, adding further that, as a youth group, we shall continue to give him the needed support to carry out his duties. Our doors are open to partner and collaborate with the Nigerian Senate since we have confidence in the Senate leadership and the good work they’re doing”