A coalition of more than 28 civil society organisations across the Niger Delta has backed the Senate’s call for an investigation into the controversial rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery carried out during the tenure of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had in June ordered Kyari’s arrest after he failed to appear before the committee during its investigation into audit queries concerning NNPCL’s finances between 2017 and 2023.
The coalition also announced plans to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), seeking investigations into allegations surrounding the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources and the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation project.
President-General and Coordinator of the Niger Delta Anti-Corruption Watch, Engr. Felix Oweifie Olotu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
He said the coalition would mobilise 10,000 youths for a peaceful protest and the submission of the petitions on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
According to Olotu, the petitions would draw the attention of the EFCC and CCB to allegations concerning the management of the country’s petroleum resources, financial accountability and the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation project, among other issues linked to the former NNPCL management.
“We cannot allow Mele Kyari to simply go just like that. There are serious questions and allegations surrounding his tenure at NNPCL that deserve proper investigation. We are not asking anyone to be convicted without due process; we are demanding that the appropriate agencies investigate the allegations and allow the law to take its course,” Olotu said.
The coalition also expressed support for recent calls by members of the National Assembly for an investigation into Kyari’s tenure.
Kyari had challenged the arrest warrant, explaining that he informed the committee that he was outside the country for medical reasons.
Olotu stressed that the planned mobilisation would be peaceful and lawful, noting that it was aimed at promoting accountability and not declaring any individual guilty of wrongdoing.
He said public officials entrusted with managing Nigeria’s resources must be willing to account for their stewardship whenever credible allegations are raised.
The coalition called on Niger Delta youths, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and community leaders to participate in the mobilisation and support the petitions to the EFCC and CCB.
It further urged both agencies to conduct independent, comprehensive and transparent investigations into the allegations contained in the petitions.
The coalition maintained that where investigations establish criminal or ethical violations, appropriate legal action should follow regardless of the status or position of those involved.
“The Niger Delta has a legitimate interest in how the resources of our region are managed. We will continue to demand transparency, accountability and justice through lawful and democratic means,” Olotu said.
