Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, has lambasted calls for the removal of NNPC CEO, Mallam Mele Kyari, by some House of Representatives members. On Arise TV's Morning Show, Abati described the move as "unfair, wrong, and unreasonable", stressing that the industry's problems cannot be attributed to one individual.
"The oil and gas industry's woes are not Mele Kyari's doing. Our national affairs have been mismanaged, and that's the root cause," Abati said. He argued that the sector faces deep-seated structural issues that have been neglected for decades, requiring leadership to address them.
Abati criticized the media advertisements by some representatives calling for Kyari's sack, saying, "Mele Kyari is not the problem. Fundamental issues have plagued the industry since the 70s, and no government has tackled them."
He emphasized that Kyari is attempting to solve the problems, but blaming him alone is unfair. "The National Assembly members seeking Kyari's removal have misplaced priorities. The focus should be on systemic issues, not individual blame. Nigeria's mismanagement is the problem, and leadership is the solution."