Niger Delta Nationalities Decry Sponsored Protest Against Ojulari, Ogbeh

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities has described as disgusting the recent stage-managed protest calling for the sack of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC, Limited, Bayo Ojulari and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Felix Ogbe.
It added that their objective was clear—to blackmail and destabilise two technocrats who are diligently carrying out reforms that serve the interest of the Nigerian people and the Niger Delta region.
The President General of the coalition, Dr. Theophilus Alaye, in a statement issued Wednesday said the so-called protest was nothing but a sponsored act of sabotage, bankrolled by a cabinet member of President Bola Tinubu administration.
He, therefore, called on the sponsor to desist immediately from this reckless game of deception.
Alaye warned that any further attempt to incite public disorder or malign the leadership of NNPCL and NCDMB would be resisted with equal force by the united voices of Niger Delta ethnic nationalities.
The coalition further warned that those who sponsor unrest in the oil and gas sector are enemies of development and will be treated as such.
Alaye added: “The Coalition of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities has observed with anger and disgust the recent stage-managed protest shamelessly calling for the sack of Mr. Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, and Engr. Felix Ogbe, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
“Let it be known that the Niger Delta will not sit idly by and watch selfish politicians abuse their offices to pursue personal vendettas against men of integrity. Mr. Bayo Ojulari and Engr. Felix Ogbe who have demonstrated uncommon dedication, transparency, and professionalism in steering NNPCL and NCDMB.
“They enjoy the full confidence of the Niger Delta people, who are the primary stakeholders of the oil wealth that drives Nigeria’s economy.
“We will not allow opportunists and political jobbers to throw our region and the nation into chaos for their selfish ambition.
“We stand firmly behind Mr. Bayo Ojulari and Engr. Felix Ogbe. Their leadership remains a symbol of progress and stability in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, and any attack against them is an attack against the Niger Delta people.’