Fuel scarcity is economic terrorism - Group says, calls for sack of NNPC GMD - Group

A group has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation of constituting to economic sabotage in Nigeria .- The group said the NNPC is responsible for the ongoing fuel scarcity across Nigeria - The group also called for the sack of the group managing director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru A civil rights organisation has said that the ongoing fuel scarcity across Nigeria is economic terrorism. The organisation, Stand Up for Nigeria Coalition (SUN-CO), on Monday, December 26, said it would mobilise Nigerians against the ineptitude of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). 

The group accused the NNPC of, "threatening the peace and stability of the country." Reacting to the plights of Nigerians in the ongoing fuel crisis, SUN-CO described the looming scarcity as an economic sabotage and terrorism being perpetrated by enemies within." Speaking at press conference in Abuja, the convener of SUN-CO and human rights activist, Philip Agbese, said the underlying causes of the scarcity and its resulting hardship upon Nigerians is being caused by the leadership of NNPC. Agbese called on President Muhammadu Buhari sack the present group managing director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru. 

The organisation also called for the appointment of the new NNPC GMD to replace Baru. Agbese said the coalition is aware that Baru had all the needed free hands to run the NNPC as its GMD and the attempt by him to pass off the blame to the marketers is an attempt to save his job."This, to us, is considered to be the height of embarrassment to the Buhari's Presidency and the Nigerian people who go through this harrowing experience on a daily basis just to celebrate this season of love with their families and friends. "We have watched the worsening fuel crisis with alarm and concern as Nigerians are coerced into wasting useful man-hours queuing for Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise called petrol, while almost half of the country's population are denied the most important religious holiday having been prevented from spending Christmas holidays with their families," Agbese said. "This is not the best of times for anyone as a patriot to sit on the fence as the situation is at variance with the welfare policies of the Buhari's administration. Anyone that prophesses to love the country must first love the president and at all times be supportive of his well articulated programs and policies in line with this vision. "It is unfortunate that the enemies within have had a field day in the last few days perpetrating this economic terrorism and do not care about what happens to the image and personality of President Buhari who have been trusted by Nigerians with the mandate to redeem them from sufferings and pains inflicted on us by past leaders of this country," he said. 

The organisation further called on Baru to "immediately resign as NNPC GMD", since he has allegedly lost the confidence of Nigerians after proving that "his loyalty lies with the industry cabal and not for the well-being of the common man."