The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has released a statement defending the legacy of Mr. Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The organization explicitly condemned what they described as a “smear campaign” orchestrated by a group calling themselves “Concerned Citizens Against Corruption.”
In their press release, the NDYC asserted that Kyari’s tenure at NNPCL was marked by significant reforms and accomplishments. They specifically highlighted his role in transforming the corporation into a profit-driven entity aligned with global corporate governance standards, implementing refinery rehabilitation projects through public-private partnerships, combating oil theft through strategic security collaborations, and advancing Nigeria’s gas infrastructure initiatives.
The youth organization dismissed allegations regarding opaque financial dealings, stating that the claims demonstrate a lack of understanding regarding standard petroleum trading practices. According to the NDYC, contracts for oil lifting, swap deals, and off-take agreements are common industry instruments subject to regulatory oversight.
The statement characterized the criticism against Kyari as politically motivated, suggesting it originated from “disgruntled elements and vested interests” threatened by his transparency reforms. The NDYC concluded by urging the Minister of Justice and Attorney General to disregard the accusations and instead focus on continuing legal reforms that uphold institutional integrity. The document was signed by Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, identified as the National Coordinator of the organization.