The Coalition for Good Governance and Open Leadership in Nigeria has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to remain transparent and support President Bola Tinubu’s effort at repositioning the oil sector.
The Convener of the group, Declan Ihekaire, made this position known at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos.
He frowned at an alleged premeditated plot to blackmail the NNPCL management and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mele Kyari.
Ihekaire alleged that a faction of the defunct Conference of Nigeria Political Parties was behind the plot, which, he said, could undermine national security.
Ihekaire said the coalition was committed to the cause of ensuring probity and transparency in governance, but believes that such must be devoid of political interference of unfounded claims.
According to him, over the past few weeks, there has been a sustained campaign of calumny against the management and the group Chief Executive of the Nation’s flagship oil company.
He said that this campaign coincided with the time that the coalition was involved in independent investigation of the activities of the NNPCL.
Ihekaire said that the coalition’s investigation also involved efforts being made by the company in respect of the removal of fuel subsidies and commitment of the NNPC in delivering its mandate to Nigerians.
He said: “We have since noticed series of attempt by some individuals masquerading as crime investigators and civil society leaders to exploit the series of questions that have been raised by Nigerians in respect of the activities of the NNPC in order to blackmail and extort the company.
“After due diligence, we realised the blackmail was being sponsored by a self-acclaimed billionaire whistle blower.
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“We want transparency in government at all cost, but blackmailers and politicians must not make it an industry.
“We urge NNPC to remain transparent and support President Tinubu’s effort at repositioning the oil sector.”
Emphasising the importance of transparency, accountability and integrity in the functioning of public institutions, especially those as crucial as the NNPCL, Ihekaire said that national security must not be jeopardised.
He added: “We firmly believe that it is our duty as citizens and organisations committed to good governance to ensure that any allegations of wrongdoing are thoroughly investigated and justice is served if needed.
“At the same time, we must also ensure that these allegations are not used as a political weapon to achieve ulterior motives that could jeopardise the stability and the progress of the NNPC.
“Allegations of corruption or misconduct should never be wielded as a political tool for the sole purpose of tarnishing reputations and creating chaos within the organisation.”
Ihekaire said blackmailers were embarking on a campaign after their failure to get attention from the NNPC.
He said the Department of State Services had already concluded its investigation into the same subject matter and began the prosecution of some of the blackmailers while their accomplices were also undergoing investigation.
He said: “It is essential to maintain a fair and impartial approach to any allegation made against public officials, including those leading vital institutions like the NNPC.
“Such matters should be addressed through appropriate channels such as law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to guarantee a just and objective process.”
Ihekaire noted that the National Assembly had conducted a diligent probe of some of these allegations by blackmailers and had cleared the air.
He said that the ultimate objective of the blackmailers was to seek the removal of Kyari.
“We urge Nigerians to be mindful of the antics of these latter day anti-corruption crusaders, whose ultimate is to blackmail unsuspecting Nigerians for selfish gains,” the activist said.
Ihekaire encouraged all stakeholders to act responsibly, ethically and with the best interests of Nigeria in mind.
“Any allegations of misconduct must be handled through appropriate legal channels to ensure a just and unbiased outcome,” he added.
Also speaking, Gbenga Soloki of the Campaign Against Impunity and Domestic Violence said no one should cause tension that would affect the masses in the country, especially in the oil and gas sector.
Soloki said anyone with factual allegations should approach relevant security agencies for investigation.
Other activists who spoke said that false alarm, especially in the NNPC, could escalate issues in the oil sector, adding that there had been panic queues in petrol stations and panic buying.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the news conference was organised by the Campaign for Democracy, Centre for Transparency in Leadership and other allied civil society groups.