Civil society groups have condemned alleged efforts to sabotage reforms at NNPC under CEO Bayo Ojulari.
They urged President Tinubu to resist blackmail and support Ojulari’s anti-corruption and transparency agenda.
A coalition of civil society organizations has voiced strong opposition to what it describes as a deliberate effort to sabotage ongoing reforms at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) led by its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bayo Ojulari.
The Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives (CGGCI), in collaboration with the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), made the allegation during a press conference in Abuja. The groups accused certain vested interests of launching a coordinated campaign to discredit Ojulari and derail the reforms taking place within the national oil company.
Speaking at the briefing, CGGCI National Coordinator Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi and HURIWA President Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko jointly condemned recent protests targeting the NNPC boss. They claimed that the demonstrations were orchestrated by individuals resistant to change and determined to maintain corrupt practices within the system.
Their response comes in the wake of a protest last Thursday, led by a coalition including OilWatch Nigeria, Workers’ Rights Alliance, and Concerned Citizens Watch. The demonstrators, who gathered at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had called for Ojulari’s prosecution over an alleged $21 million scandal.
However, the CSOs insisted the protest was part of a broader smear campaign designed to distract from the anti-corruption measures introduced by Ojulari since assuming office. They urged President Bola Tinubu to be cautious and not fall for what they described as unfounded allegations aimed at reversing the progress made at the NNPC.
“We appeal to President Tinubu to remain alert to the true motives behind these attacks on the GMD. What we are seeing is a deliberate attempt to roll back reforms and return to the era of unchecked corruption,” Ogenyi stated.
The groups noted that Ojulari’s appointment was based on merit and his track record in the energy sector. Since taking the reins at the NNPC, he has reportedly pushed for transparency and accountability across operations.
Key reforms under Ojulari’s leadership include the launch of a real-time monitoring dashboard for crude oil production, refining, and fuel distribution, as well as the audit of legacy contracts and termination of deals involving shell companies accused of draining public funds.
According to the CSOs, whistleblowing has gained momentum within the NNPC, and several staff have been reassigned as part of efforts to strengthen internal checks and oversight mechanisms.
They further alleged that elements within and outside the system working with some opposition politicians are behind the campaign to frustrate the transformation of the NNPC.
“Some of these actors pretend to support the government during the day but work against it at night by targeting strategic institutions like the NNPC,” Onwubiko said.
The coalition also praised the current administration’s efforts to stabilise the downstream petroleum sector, noting improvements such as the steady availability of fuel and the disappearance of long queues and black-market trading.
They described the allegations against Ojulari as a desperate move by corrupt individuals to protect their personal interests and urged Nigerians to support ongoing reforms.
“Ojulari is one of the few public servants truly committed to change. We call on the media, civil society, and all patriotic citizens to stand firm against blackmail and support the transformation taking place at the NNPC,” they said.
Finally, the coalition urged President Tinubu to stay firm in his anti-corruption stance and continue backing capable appointees like Ojulari, who are working to deliver on the promises of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
