A coalition of Niger Delta groups under the aegis Niger Delta Anti-Corruption Watch has vowed to mobilise 10,000 youths to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over allegations surrounding the tenure of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
TheHintsNews reports that in June 2026, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts reportedly threatened an arrest warrant after Kyari failed to appear before the committee over questions relating to an alleged ₦210 trillion discrepancy identified in Auditor-General reports covering 2017–2023.
Kyari subsequently disputed the warrant and said he had informed the committee that he was abroad for medical reasons.
However, the coalition, which comprises over 28 civil societies across the Niger Delta is expected to submit a petition on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, demanding that the relevant anti-corruption agencies invite, investigate and, where evidence establishes wrongdoing, prosecute the former NNPCL boss in accordance with Nigerian law.
Its Coordinator, Felix Olotu, in a statement issued Monday said the Niger Delta people would not allow matters concerning the management of the region’s natural resources and the affairs of the nation’s petroleum industry to be swept under the carpet.
He noted: “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.”
The coalition said its petition would draw the attention of the EFCC and CCB to various allegations and concerns raised against the former NNPCL management, including issues surrounding the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources, financial accountability and the controversial Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation project, among other matters.
It also expressed support for recent actions and calls from members of the National Assembly concerning the investigation of allegations against Kyari.
The coalition said it believes that public officials who have managed Nigeria’s resources must be prepared to account for their stewardship whenever credible allegations are raised.
He, therefore, called on all well-meaning Niger Deltans, youths, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to join the mobilisation and support the petition to the EFCC and CCB.
“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,” it added.