CNPP backs SERAP’s call for forensic probe of NNPCL over alleged missing oil funds

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has backed the demand by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to account for an alleged missing N825 billion, and $2.5 billion oil money.

The CNPP said it has, on many occasions, called for the probe of the (NNPCL) and its officials, citing alleged widespread corruption, mismanagement, and lack of transparency in the oil industry.

In a statement issued by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, in Kaduna, the body noted: “Sometime in 1999, the CNPP first raised concerns about the opaque nature of NNPC’s operations, calling for a comprehensive audit of the corporation’s finances.

“Our demands were met with resistance from the government, but we persisted, knowing that transparency and accountability are essential for good governance and the survival of our democracy.”

Ezema added: “Over the years, the CNPP has continued to push for reforms in the oil industry, calling for the sack of successive NNPC management teams, including the current Mele Kyari-led team. We have also demanded the prosecution of NNPC officials implicated in corruption scandals, but our calls have fallen on deaf ears.”

The group observed: “Despite the incorporation of NNPC as a commercial company under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, the CNPP has maintained that this move was merely a smokescreen to perpetuate corruption. We insisted that the same management team remained in place and that the incorporation was an incorporation of corruption.”

Lamenting the hardship and poverty in the land, Ezema remarked: “The CNPP warns that Nigerians will continue to suffer hardships until NNPC Limited begins to operate transparently and remit all revenues to the federation accounts, thereby ending the yearly borrowings to finance Nigerian budgets, which have worsened since 2015.”