A peaceful sit-out by a youth-led advocacy group in Abuja entered its second day on Tuesday, as the group continued to call for the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed.
The protest, organized by the Young Professionals Forum of Nigeria, was held near the NMDPRA head office in the Central Business District. The group cited concerns over alleged financial impropriety and called for a review of Engr. Ahmed’s leadership.
Shortly after the protesters addressed members of the media, the atmosphere was briefly disrupted when a group of unidentified individuals attempted to infiltrate the peaceful gathering. Witnesses said the individuals arrived from a nearby location and tried to cause a commotion. However, the protest organizers quickly urged calm and dispersed peacefully to prevent escalation.
Speaking earlier, one of the group’s coordinators, Comrade Emmanuel Ogwuche, reaffirmed the commitment of the protesters to a non-violent campaign. He stressed that the demonstration would continue through the week to draw attention to what the group described as ethical concerns in the leadership of the regulatory body.
The protesters alleged that public funds may have been misused and expressed dissatisfaction with what they see as a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest involving individuals closely connected to the NMDPRA leadership. Specific concerns were raised about the overseas education of family members and employment ties with companies regulated by the agency.
The group further urged President Bola Tinubu and relevant authorities to take appropriate action by initiating a formal inquiry into the allegations. They emphasized that their call was rooted in a desire to see reform and improved governance within the oil and gas regulatory framework.
“Engr. Ahmed’s continued stay in office, in light of these unresolved concerns, could undermine public trust in regulatory institutions,” Ogwuche stated, adding that the group would continue to engage peacefully until their concerns are addressed.
Although no serious injuries were reported during the brief disruption, organizers mentioned that a few members sustained minor injuries. They maintained that no level of intimidation would deter them from advocating for accountability in public service.
Efforts to reach the NMDPRA for comment on the allegations were unsuccessful at the time of this report.