The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and over 75 civil society organisations (CSOs) have issued a 14-day ultimatum to Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), demanding that he step aside to allow for an independent investigation into corruption allegations against him.

According to the groups, Ahmed is at the center of one of the most brazen cases of public sector corruption in recent times, with allegations that over $5 million of public funds may have been diverted to finance his children’s education at elite institutions in Europe. The schools include Aiglon College, Institut Le Rosey, and European University Montreux, which charge between $80,000 and $140,000 per annum per child.

The CNPP and CSOs expressed deep concern over Ahmed’s actions, accusing him of gross abuse of office, conflict of interest, and regulatory compromises that threaten the credibility of the entire Nigerian oil and gas downstream sector. “Public office is a public trust,” the groups said, emphasizing that once that trust is broken, the honorable and ethical course of action is to step aside for investigation.

The groups warned that Ahmed’s continued stay in office undermines ongoing investigations and erodes public trust in critical regulatory institutions. They also expressed alarm over reports of sponsored thugs attacking peaceful protesters at the NMDPRA headquarters in a bid to suppress public outcry. “Intimidation of citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful protest will not be tolerated,” the groups said.

The CNPP and CSOs have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately direct the suspension of Ahmed, in line with his administration’s anti-corruption stance, to prevent interference with investigations and preserve the integrity of the oil and gas regulatory space.

The groups have warned that if Ahmed fails to comply within the stipulated 14 days, they will launch sustained and coordinated mass actions, including the total shutdown of NMDPRA headquarters and its zonal offices nationwide, until justice is served. “Nigerians demand and deserve a leadership that is above reproach,” the groups declared. “The days of impunity in public office are over.”

“Nigerians demand and deserve a leadership that is above reproach. The days of impunity in public office are over,” the statement read. “Today’s protest is not the end. If these demands are ignored, we will return stronger, louder, and more resolute. Nigerian youths, mothers, and civil society will occupy every relevant space to say: enough is enough.”