New NNPC GMD: Another Kyari in Buhari’s Government Raises Questions

SWITZERLAND, JUNE 20 – Nigerians have been asking many questions after news broke out on Thursday morning that President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mele Kolo Kyari to replace Maikanti Baru as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC).

Until his appointment, Kyari, who hails from Borno State, was NNPC’s head of Crude Marketing.

The name, Kyari sounds all too familiar to many Nigerians. Abba Kyari is the Chief of Staff to president Muhammadu Buhari and reportedly wields a strong influence over the Nigerian government and especially the oil and gas industry.

A few months ago, Abba Kyari’s daughter, Aisha Abba-Kyari was made Assistant Vice President, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).

Many Nigerians are already condemning Buhari’s latest appointment as an attempt to put too much power in the hands of a single family as Mele Kyari is believed to be Abba Kyari’s brother. Government supporters are blaming this assertion on mischievous opposition elements attempting to take advantage of the name similarity to rouse Nigerians against the government.

However, the signs are too glaring to ignore. The resemblance between the two Kyaris is striking and they are from the same place.

Today’s Echo gathers that like Mele Kyari, Abba Kyari is from Borno State and has vast experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Abba Kyari is reportedly a director at ExxonMobil, a foremost International Oil Company(IOC) operating in Nigeria. he is also a member of the NNPC board of directors.

See some of the comments on Twitter below:

Mallam Abba Kyari is a Member of the Board of NNPC.
Meanwhile His younger brother Mele Kyari has just been appointed GMD & Member of the Board of NNPC

😂😂😂😂
Nigeria is a joke. Kyari Family Petroleum Corporation. pic.twitter.com/Hner2P3n1U

— Brainz (@Bemshima__PhD) June 20, 2019

Initially when I saw the news that President Buhari has appointed Mele Kolo Kyari as the new Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), I thought he’s related to Abba Kyari. I just read that he’s not related to the chief of staff. Fingers crossed pic.twitter.com/f8ACXYJIM3

— B h a d o o s k y (@BhadmusAkeem) June 20, 2019

Abba Kyari – Chief of Staff

Mele Kyari – NNPC GMD

Ms. Aisha Abba-Kyari – Assistant Vice President, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)

Welcome to the Federal Republic of Kyari where nepotism is the rule

— Emmanuel Enoidem (@enoidem1964) June 20, 2019