A Kaduna based group, the Northern Action Alliance, on Tuesday rained heavy knocks on Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe over his attempt to malign Engr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The Group in a Press Statement signed by
SAMBALI SHEKARAU (National Coordinator) and ISMA’ILA DAN KAKA (National Secretary), they implored the Nigeria Police and DSS to go after Chief Sara-Igbe, adding that it was time two high-ranking NNPCL officials,Oritsemeyiwa and Umar Ajiya to allow Mele Kyari to be.
*** CALLS ON TWO HIGH-RANKING NNPCL OFFICIALS TO ALLOW MELE KYARI TO BE
They wrote that; “In a brazen display of arrogance and deceit, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a self-proclaimed advocate for the Niger Delta, unleashed a vicious smear campaign against Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).The Kalabari born backwater activist’s vitriolic barrage – fueled by his sponsors vested interests, aimed to tarnish Mele Kyari’s exemplary record of service and undermine the progress achieved under his sterling leadership in the oil and gas sector.
Beneath Sara-Igbe pretentious façade of self righteousness, lies a dubious web of ulterior motives, ego trips and charlatanism”.
According to the group in his Kalabari native land, he is known to be a one man riot squad, adding that his claim of leading a group in the Niger Delta is spurious and a complete sham. “Igbe has no group except the phantom one with which he comes to make to public to make noise now and then – for who hires him.
Knowing Sara-Igbe for what he is, we won’t join issues with him, except to set the records straight on his TV tantrums.This publication is therefore meant to unravels the lifestyle of an aging racketeer, whose stock in trade is play to the gallery. And get paid by anyone – for his cheap talks”.
They said that his malicious campaign directed at the NNPCL’s GCEO holds no foundation, saying “he is merely an architect of empty noise – in fact a bag of wind, that is not be taken serious”.
“What role did he play in the days of youths uprising in the Niger Delta? He was a much younger person 20 years ago. When names are mentioned of those who stood for civil rights and resource control, his shadow is not even seen. Is it at the peak of his declining years that he can do something”, they said.
“Anabs Sara-Igbe, is an opportunist and serial destabilizer. Only gullible young people listening to his high flown, grandiose comments on TV may get carried away, but not the discerning. His self-proclaimed leadership of the South/South Elder’s Forum is a charade”, the group added.
They also said that; “He is the sole founder, member and only beneficiary of the phantom organization. Which merely serves as a vehicle for extortion and coercion, and for exploiting vulnerable individuals and entities, who want to avoid his cheap blackmail and threats.
Mele Kyari, a distinguished public servant, and Sara-Igbe’s latest target for unjust vilification and slander, is self-serving”.
The Group said that; “In his recent media appearance sponsored by Mele Kyari colleagues at the NNPCL, especially the Executive Vice President, Upstream, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Group Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, Sara-Igbe displayed profound ignorance of the nation’s oil and gas sector – resulting in his propagation of absolute falsehoods and misinformation”.
They pointed out that his claim that the Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries were operational before Mele Kyari ordered their routine maintenance and shutdown is grossly inaccurate and noted that; “Industry experts recognize the mandatory five years maintenance cycle for refineries – which renders Sara-Igbe’s allegations worthless and inconsequential”.
They said that Sara-Igbe’s threats to instigate chaos in the Niger Delta if Mele Kyari is retained in office beyond January 2025 gives cause of concerns and worry, saying that even if Kyari retires at 60, the onus rests with Mr. President to re-engage him if he so desires.
The Northern Action Alliance urged that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Department of Security Services and the Nigerian Army cause investigations into Sara-Igbe’s garrulous statements.
Here Is The Full Press Statement By The Group:
In a brazen display of arrogance and deceit, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a self-proclaimed advocate for the Niger Delta, unleashed a vicious smear campaign against Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The Kalabari born backwater activist’s vitriolic barrage – fueled by his sponsors vested interests, aimed to tarnish Mele Kyari’s exemplary record of service and undermine the progress achieved under his sterling leadership in the oil and gas sector.
Beneath Sara-Igbe pretentious façade of self righteousness, lies a dubious web of ulterior motives, ego trips and charlatanism.
In his Kalabari native land, he is known to be a one man riot squad. His claim of leading a group in the Niger Delta is spurious and a complete sham. Igbe has no group except the phantom one with which he comes to make to public to make noise now and then – for who hires him.
Knowing Sara-Igbe for what he is, we won’t join issues with him, except to set the records straight on his TV tantrums.
This publication is therefore meant to unravels the lifestyle of an aging racketeer, whose stock in trade is play to the gallery. And get paid by anyone – for his cheap talks.
His malicious campaign directed at the NNPCL’s GCEO holds no foundation. He is merely an architect of empty noise – in fact a bag of wind, that is not be taken serious.
What role did he play in the days of youths uprising in the Niger Delta? He was a much younger person 20 years ago. When names are mentioned of those who stood for civil rights and resource control, his shadow is not even seen. Is it at the peak of his declining years that he can do something?
Anabs Sara-Igbe, is an opportunist and serial destabilizer. Only gullible young people listening to his high flown, grandiose comments on TV may get carried away, but not the discerning.
His self-proclaimed leadership of the South/South Elder’s Forum is a charade.
He is the sole founder, member and only beneficiary of the phantom organization. Which merely serves as a vehicle for extortion and coercion, and for exploiting vulnerable individuals and entities, who want to avoid his cheap blackmail and threats.
Mele Kyari, a distinguished public servant, and Sara-Igbe’s latest target for unjust vilification and slander, is self-serving.
In his recent media appearance sponsored by Mele Kyari colleagues at the NNPCL, especially the Executive Vice President, Upstream, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Group Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, Sara-Igbe displayed profound ignorance of the nation’s oil and gas sector – resulting in his propagation of absolute falsehoods and misinformation.
His claim that the Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries were operational before Mele Kyari ordered their routine maintenance and shutdown is grossly inaccurate. Industry experts recognize the mandatory five years maintenance cycle for refineries – which renders Sara-Igbe’s allegations worthless and inconsequential.
Without much ado, it is on record that Mele Kyari’s timely intervention prevented catastrophic failure of the nation’s oil industry – ensuring a circle of optimal performance.
Sara-Igbe alleged that Mele Kyari misled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on fuel subsidy removal – it is spurious and unfounded.
President Tinubu’s stance on subsidy removal, which all presidential aspirants also adopted in the 2023 elections, was unequivocal, during his campaign rounds across the country and it was also included in his inaugural address.
He had no contact with Mele Kyari before his inauguration of 29th May 2023.
Sara-Igbe’s lack of comprehension of the petroleum industry made him utter series of blunders, as he was poorly tutored by his sponsors.
Within the confines of the NNPCL, it is no secret that the duo of Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan and Engr. Umar Ajiya – both high-ranking NNPCL officials, orchestrated the media onslaught against Mele Kyari.
Aside envy and desperation, their motive is to oust Mele Kyari, despite his unwavering commitment to the President Tinubu’s administration, especially in the oil and gas industry.
The TV appearance of Sara-Igbe was at the behest Mrs. Eyesan, a native Delta State, who supposedly would be the beneficiary if Mele Kyari is harassed out of office, while Engr. Ajiya was also in the shadow if President Tinubu is disposed to appoint a northerner after Mele Kyari might have been disgraced out of office.
That was what Sara-Igbe advocacy outing was all about.
Sara-Igbe’s threats to instigate chaos in the Niger Delta if Mele Kyari is retained in office beyond January 2025 gives cause of concerns and worry. Even if Kyari retires at 60, the onus rests with Mr. President to re-engage him if he so desires.
It is unbecoming for an ordinary citizen to issue threats to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is an aberration.
Sara-Igbe audaciousness deserves investigation by the nations security agencies.
His sabre rattling and chest thumping shouldn’t be swept under the carpet as idle talk.
He now probably owns a private army. This demands security verification. The nation’s oil assets domiciled in the Niger Delta shouldn’t be carelessly threatened.
Consequent on the foregoing, the Northern Action Alliance urged that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Department of Security Services and the Nigerian Army cause investigations into Sara-Igbe’s garrulous statements.
A stitch in time saves nine.
Murderers are not usually identified with bulging biceps and fist. A psychopath often sees through his intentions, so could Sara-Igbe.
His boasting of unleashing collateral damage on the nation’s oil assets must not to be taken lightly. He must go through both security and mental assessments.
Contingent on the above, The Northern Action Alliance reposes absolute confidence on Mele Kyari, and therefore endorses him, in recognition of his transformative initiatives and reforms that have restored transparency and accountability to NNPCL.
SIGNED:
SAMBALI SHEKARAU
NATIONAL COORDINATOR
ISMA’ILA DAN KAKA
NATIONAL SECRETARY