A coalition of youth leaders from the Niger Delta, on Wednesday, stormed the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Abuja, demanding the removal of the Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, over alleged mismanagement and diversion of funds.
Operating under the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders’ Forum, the protesters also insisted that the next head of the company should be an indigene of the oil-producing region.
The demonstrators, who converged on the towers as early as 6 a.m., carried placards with inscriptions such as “Ojulari Must Vacate Office Now”, “NNPCL Needs Credible Leadership”, “Tinubu Administration Must Not Shield Corruption” and “Make Our Refineries Work and Employ Our People.”
Security operatives, including police personnel, were deployed in large numbers to maintain order during the protest.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Chairman of the Forum, Jonathan Lokpobiri, described Ojulari’s tenure as a betrayal of the Niger Delta people, accusing him of sacking indigenes from the company and replacing them with his associates.
Lokpobiri demanded the reinstatement of the affected workers and the employment of more Niger Delta youths, stressing that the company owes its existence to the resources from the region.
