A coalition of civil society organisations has raised concerns over what it described as a calculated attempt to derail the ongoing reforms at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) under the leadership of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bayo Ojulari.
The Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives (CGGCI), in partnership with the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), made the allegation during a press briefing in Abuja, vowing to resist what it termed a coordinated smear campaign aimed at undermining the reforms initiated by the Ojulari-led management.
Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, National Coordinator of CGGCI, and Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, President of HURIWA, jointly condemned recent protests targeting Ojulari, which they alleged were sponsored by vested interests intent on preserving corruption and reversing the progress recorded at the national oil firm.
Their reaction follows a protest last Thursday by a coalition comprising OilWatch Nigeria, Workers’ Rights Alliance, and Concerned Citizens Watch at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding Ojulari’s prosecution over an alleged $21 million scandal.
However, the civil society leaders claimed that the protest was a smokescreen orchestrated by those uncomfortable with the sweeping reforms and anti-corruption measures introduced at the NNPC.
“We respectfully urge His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to remain vigilant and discerning regarding the motives of those peddling unfounded allegations and character assassinations against the GMD,” Ogenyi said. “These blackmailers seek to reverse the progress made and reinstall individuals who will continue the cycles of corruption that Mr. Ojulari is dismantling.”
According to the coalition, Ojulari’s appointment by President Tinubu was predicated on his proven competence and industry expertise, noting that since assuming office, the NNPC has embarked on a path of accountability and transparency.
They noted that under Ojulari’s watch, the company has introduced a real-time operations dashboard for monitoring crude production, refining, and fuel distribution. He has also reportedly initiated audits of long-standing opaque contracts and terminated deals involving shell entities used to siphon national resources.
“For the first time in years, whistleblowing and internal accountability are being actively encouraged at the NNPC. Several staff have been reassigned, and internal oversight units have been strengthened,” they stated.
The CSOs alleged that corrupt elements within and outside the system, working in collaboration with some political opposition figures, are behind the plot to destabilise the reforms at the NNPC.
“We observe that some of them are in hand with major opposition leaders at night to sabotage this government through institutions like NNPC, but they appear as friends of the government during the day,” Onwubiko added.
The forum also praised the administration’s efforts in the downstream petroleum sector, noting the stable supply of fuel and the end of long queues and black market operations.
They warned that the campaign against Ojulari should be seen as a desperate move by compromised individuals seeking to retain influence and illicit benefits, urging Nigerians to stand behind reformers.
“Mr. Ojulari is clearly one of the committed reformers. We call on all patriotic Nigerians, civil society actors, and media professionals to defend the truth, expose malicious intent, and support the transformation of the NNPC,” the statement concluded.
They further called on President Tinubu to remain resolute in his fight against corruption and continue to support competent appointees like Ojulari, who are implementing his Renewed Hope Agenda.
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