The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have backed the Senate’s public accounts committee’s decision to order the arrest of a former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) boss, Mele Kyari, over alleged repeated failure to honour invitations linked to investigations into audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation.

A statement on Thursday jointly signed by James Ezema, the deputy national publicity secretary of the CNPP, and Ali Abacha, the national secretary of the CNCSOs, described the Senate’s move as a huge step towards enforcing accountability in public office and strengthening democratic oversight institutions.

The groups stated that the Senate committee’s decision affirmed the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight powers and sent an unmistakable message that “no public official, past or present, is above accountability under the law.”

The CNPP and the CNCSOs noted that the allegations relating to the management of the nation’s petroleum resources during Mr Kyari’s tenure remained a major issue in public discourse.

The group said, “For several years, numerous allegations relating to financial management, transparency, procurement processes, crude oil accounting, refinery rehabilitation expenditures, fuel subsidy administration, and other matters associated with the operations of the NNPCL under the leadership of Mallam Mele Kyari have dominated public discourse.

“It is therefore disturbing that despite the seriousness of the audit queries reportedly identified by the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation and despite repeated invitations by the Senate public accounts committee, Mallam Kyari has allegedly failed to appear before lawmakers to provide explanations and clarifications on issues of significant public interest.”

The organisations said Mr Kyari failed on multiple occasions to cooperate as expected of a former chief executive of a strategic national institution, leading to the latest order directing security agencies to produce him before the lawmakers.

The groups expressed concern over the perception among some Nigerians that anti-corruption agencies, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had not shown urgency in investigating several allegations and concerns surrounding the management of the nation’s petroleum resources.

“Whether such perceptions are justified or not, they underscore the need for transparent, professional, and impartial investigations capable of restoring public confidence in our institutions,” the groups stated.

They called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure that all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were provided with the necessary support required to enforce lawful directives issued in connection with the ongoing investigations.

“Where credible information indicates that Mallam Mele Kyari is outside the country and unavailable to honour the summons of constitutionally empowered authorities, the federal government should explore all lawful international cooperation mechanisms available under Nigerian and international law, including engagement through INTERPOL and relevant bilateral arrangements, for the sole purpose of securing his appearance before competent investigative and oversight authorities,” the groups added.

Also, the groups urged the Senate public accounts committee to be steadfast, professional and non-partisan in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities in respect to the ongoing investigation.

They also called on the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other relevant institutions to ensure that “all allegations, audit observations and financial queries concerning the management of public resources are diligently investigated and appropriately resolved in accordance with the law.”

According to the groups, Nigerians deserve full transparency.

“They deserve answers to all legitimate audit queries. They deserve accountability from all who have managed public resources on their behalf,” the groups said.