The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Limited, Bayo Ojulari, has raised alarm over threats to his life and those of top management staff of the company, alleging that powerful interests are plotting to oust him for driving reforms in the oil and gas sector.
Ojulari, who spoke on Thursday while receiving a delegation of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) led by its President, Comrade Festus Osifo, at the company’s headquarters in Abuja, said his “offence” was his resolve to implement President Bola Tinubu’s mandate of reviving Nigeria’s refineries and sanitising the industry.
“My life is under threat. The lives of some of my management staff are also under threat simply because we are carrying out the reforms directed by the President to turn around our moribund refineries,” Ojulari declared. “There are powerful elements who want me out because of these reforms.”
The NNPCL boss noted that his administration is committed to reviving the refineries to operate at full capacity, adding that management is exploring the NLNG model to achieve sustainable results.
Responding to concerns raised by PENGASSAN on the stability of the oil sector, Ojulari maintained that despite the threats, he remains undeterred in his mission.
“I’m not hiding from anybody. I’m not a politician. I will have to learn a bit more about politics, but for me, this is a development plan — and I’m ready to learn,” he said.