- Back Tinubu, Ojulari, Urge Stakeholders to Ignore Fifth Columnists’ dirty Schemes
By Abiola Olawale
A coalition of civil society groups, alongside the Coalition of Concerned Stakeholders in the Gas and Petroleum Sector (CCSGP), have thrown their weight behind Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
The groups lauded Ojulari’s leadership for driving unprecedented reforms in Nigeria’s national oil company, the NNPCL while exposing what they described as some dubious politically motivated schemes being orchestrated in the media by some fifth columnists at the top level management of the NNPCL in dirty connivance with some opposition political elements aimed at derailing the company’s steady, fruitful progress since Ojulari assumed office.
The coalition said since his appointment on April 2, 2025, Ojulari has been spearheading transformative initiatives that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and mandate for transparency, accountability, and growth in Nigeria’s energy sector.
However, the coalition revealed that certain individuals who are now feeling threatened by the transparency, openness, monthly report, fruitful outcome, and accountability introduced under Ojulari’s leadership are now spreading lies against the GCEO of the NNPCL.
According to the coalition, those individuals have resorted to smear campaigns and misinformation just to tarnish the reputation of Engr Ojulari, a globally respected Energy expert with over 34 years of experience across various international jurisdictions and global entities such as Shell.
This was contained in a press statement jointly signed by Comrade Usman Musa Abdullahi (Director of Media), Dr Joseph Olawale (Director of Programs), Mrs T. Haladu-Bako ( Social Works Coordinating Office for Nigeria-CCSGP), and Comrade Ogon Peterside ( Spokesperson of the CCSGP).
The statement reads in part: “Never in the history of the NNPC has it remitted such sums as N6.961 trillion as recorded during the short time that Mr Ojulari has been on the saddle, which shows that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reforms are consistently on track, and are making positive impacts, and we will not allow fifth columnists within the NNPCL leadership who are agents of dirty politicians who are so used to feeding fat from the NNPCL treasury in the past, to distract the noble vision of the President and the Group CEO of the NNPC.
“Today, the NNPC under Ojulari is patriotically working on a number of investment inflows, just as he plans to increase oil production to over 2 million barrels per day(mbpd) by year 2027 and steadily to 3 million Barrels per day by 2030.
“In the same vein, we understand, under Ojulari’s astute leadership, the NNPC plans to reach about 10billion cubic feet per day in Gas production by the year 2027. Under this grand plan, NNPCL will transition into a great global company with respect and admiration across the world.”
“From our findings, these are politically motivated protests being sponsored by opposition politicians, whose agents are planted by the hierarchy of the NNPCL, who are afraid that the economy is bouncing back with NNPC rebound in terms of steady revenue profitability, steady remittances to the Federation Account and enhanced operational efficiency and capability at its onshore, midstream, and offshore operations are on a rebound. Why drag NNPC into dirty politics? Mr Bashir Bayo Ojulari is a solid professional who is doing an excellent job at the NNPCL and should not be distracted.”
The CCSGP further warned sponsors of mischief in the online media to desist from their sinister acts.
They continued: “The other day, these dirty opposition politicians targeted the CBN governor, Yemi Cardoso, sponsoring all kinds of media attacks. Now they have realized they have failed because they were ignored.
“CBN is working, and the governor has repositioned the apex bank and restored it to its pride of place. In the same way, these same dirty opposition forces at the NNPCL leadership positions, working with politicians who are used to easy money and feeding fat from non-existent contracts at NNPC, are now jittery of Tinubu’s most commendable reforms at the NNPC, which have restored the organization to its pride of place.
“In line with President Tinubu’s mandate, in just 100 days in office, Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari, a globally respected expert in Petroleum, Process and production Engineering, has brought performance and profitability to the NNPC at a time when the global energy landscape is characterized by uncertainty and volatility across international jurisdictions with disruptions in supply chains, and shifting energy dynamics.
“In his distinguished career across various jurisdictions globally, Engr Ojulari exemplified the best and brightest, patriotism, and commitment to national interest. He is a thoroughbred professional who faces his job mandate squarely.
“With over 34 years of experience, emerging as managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company(SNEPCO) from 2015-2021, we understand that while at SNEPCO, Engr Ojulari increased daily production capacity to about 320,000 barrels per day and SNEPCO accomplished unprecedented feats. At Renaissance Group, where he was Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Engr Ojulari led the Consortium’s brilliant successes in the acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria(SPDC) with $2.4 2.4billion.
“We urge the fifth Columnists and dirty politicians to tread the path of honour, retrace their steps, and allow Engineer Ojulari to focus on repositioning the NNPC. President Tinubu head-hunted a great brain to lead the NNPC at these volatile and uncertain energy times, and we applaud Mr President for this bold move. We stand with President Tinubu on Engr Ojulari.”
