A civil rights organisation, the National Rebirth Movement (NRM), has vowed to mobilise Nigerians for nationwide protests against what it described as a “dangerous plot” by the federal government to amend the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and sell off critical national assets.
In a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna, NRM President, Comrade James Jonah Gbudu, accused the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, of spearheading moves that would allegedly strip the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) of its core strength and hand over the nation’s oil wealth to cronies.
“These amendments are the handiwork of Wale Edun, who appears to think he will be in government forever,” Gbudu alleged. “Nigerians must rise against this kind of individual mentality and the planned return of the Obasanjo/Atiku era that sold off critical national assets. This time, they want to sell everything to their friends and render the NNPCL naked.”
The NRM leader described the PIA, which was signed into law in 2021 after over two decades of delay, as one of the few reforms that offered a clear framework for the oil and gas sector. He insisted that dismantling its safeguards barely four years after its enactment would mortgage the nation’s future.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu may not be fully aware of the alleged plans, but Nigerians must not remain passive while their commonwealth is being auctioned.
“Our national oil company, which should be a source of pride and revenue for all Nigerians, is being targeted for stripping under the guise of reforms. Nigerians will not be passive while their future is auctioned,” Gbudu said.
He recalled how past privatisation exercises failed to deliver benefits to citizens, enriching only a few politically connected businessmen. Citing the privatisation of NEPA and the collapse of Nigeria’s refineries, he warned that repeating the same model in the oil sector would worsen poverty and unemployment.
“The Obasanjo/Atiku era taught us bitter lessons. NEPA was sold, yet Nigerians are still in darkness. Refineries were left comatose while billions were spent on fuel imports. We will not allow another cycle of deception,” he declared.
Instead of amending the PIA, Gbudu urged the government to focus on transparency and accountability in the management of NNPCL.
“What Nigerians want is openness. We want to know the real figures, the contracts, the daily production, the inflows and outflows. That is what will build trust and efficiency. Selling off assets to friends of those in government will only deepen corruption and rob the country of future revenues,” he said.
The NRM disclosed that consultations are already underway with civil society organisations, labour unions, student groups and community leaders to mount resistance against the proposed changes.
“We are ready to lead Nigerians to the streets if necessary. This is not just about oil, it is about the survival of our commonwealth. If they insist on amending the PIA to sell off our assets, we will mobilise nationwide protests,” Gbudu warned.
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