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By David Odama
A coalition of Niger Delta youth leaders on Wednesday staged a protest at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Towers in Abuja, demanding the removal of the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, over allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
Operating under the platform of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders’ Forum, the protesters also insisted that an indigene of the oil-rich region should be appointed as the GCEO of the NNPCL.
The demonstrators, who turned up in large numbers as early as 6 a.m., carried placards with various inscriptions while chanting solidarity songs. Some of the placards read: “Ojulari Has Resigned – He Must Vacate Office Now!”; “NNPCL Cannot Function Without Credible Leadership”; “Tinubu Administration Must Not Shield Corruption In NNPCL”; “Mr. President, We Want Economic Empowerment”; “Make Our Refineries Work And Employ Our People.”
Security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the protest ground to maintain order and ensure a peaceful demonstration.
Speaking to journalists on behalf of the protesters, Jonathan Lokpobiri, Chairman of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders’ Forum, described Ojulari’s tenure as the worst in the history of Niger Deltans at NNPCL.
He accused the GCEO of dismissing Niger Delta indigenes from the company and replacing them with his associates.
Lokpobiri demanded the reinstatement of those allegedly sacked and called for more employment opportunities for people from the region.
“There is no NNPCL without the Niger Delta. Our people must be employed here, and we deserve to benefit from the oil and gas sector. Ojulari has never experienced the pains of oil pollution, yet no GCEO has punished Niger Deltans as much as he has done within such a short time,” he said.
Lokpobiri further alleged that Ojulari deliberately sabotaged operations at the recently rehabilitated Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries to enable their sale “at scrap value” to his cronies, despite experts insisting the facilities were functional.
He also claimed that Ojulari withheld salaries of oil pipeline surveillance workers in the Niger Delta for several months, while allegedly diverting about $21 million into private accounts linked to his associates.
“One man cannot wake up and shut down refineries just to frustrate small businesses that sustain our parents and siblings,” Lokpobiri said. “This is an abuse of power. Every Niger Delta son and daughter has the right to work anywhere in this country. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are left with no choice but to resist this.”
The youth leader emphasized that Niger Deltans, who make up only 5 percent of NNPCL’s workforce, are being unfairly marginalized and vowed that the group would not relent until justice is served.
