A Joint Northern Action Groups, on Wednesday, rejected protest staged by some fictitious calling for the sack and probe of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

They recall that Northern Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative and Arewa Youth Forum also called on the federal government to suspend the Executive Vice President, Upstream, Adokye Tombomieye, the Managing Director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Ali Muhammed Zahra and Managing Director, National Petroleum Investment Management Services and Bala Wunti.

Spokesperson of the groups, Comrade Abdulhameed Enaji, disclosed this in Abuja, during a press briefing, said that the NNPCL has put strategic measures in place to ensure that the environment is safeguarded and preserved. As a result, the levels of pollution have drastically reduced which has made the environment safer for Nigerians.

He said: “We note with deep concern the ongoing campaign by sponsored groups of individuals masquerading as members of fictitious Northern Nigerian Youth groups calling for the removal of Mele Kyari as the Group Chief Executive of NNPCL.

“We are however happy that most discerning Nigerians and of course, the Federal Government appear to dismiss the protest as it was orchestrated by individuals who were only interested in advancing their own selfish interests, and not the collective good of Nigerians.

“By now everyone, but chronic detractors, must be aware that NNPCL under the leadership of Mele Kyari has recorded enormous achievements in the oil sector. These achievements have been beneficial to Nigerians and have propelled the Nigerian economy forward.

“Foreign ships coming to steal crude oil from Nigeria waters have been drastically reduced following the stringent measures put in place by NNPCL under Mele Kyari. This has resulted in a significant drop in illegal crude oil sales and has helped the Nigerian Government in generating more revenues.

“Furthermore, Nigeria’s crude oil production has gone up under the leadership of Mele Kyari which has seen Nigeria regain its spot as Africa’s top crude oil producer from Angola. This has been beneficial to Nigerians as it has helped in boosting the Nigerian economy and increasing foreign reserves.

“Additionally, Nigeria’s foreign reserves are growing as a result of the income generated from crude oil sales. This has helped attract more investment to the oil sector, which has resulted in renewed investment in the Nigerian oil sector among other achievements.”

He further said that the call protest is the handiwork of selfish individuals who are only interested in advancing their own interests, and not the interests of Nigerians and therefore Nigerians should reject these individuals in their entirety for the sack of Mele Kyari.

He added, “As patriotic Nigerians we also commend outstanding leadership of NNPCL and call on him to continue to do his best in driving the growth and development of the Nigerian petroleum industry. ”

He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject any attempt by selfish individuals to use the guise of civil society to advance their own interests.