Bayo Ojulari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has reportedly been compelled to step down from his position under pressure from top security officials.
According to an exclusive report by online newspaper, Peoples Gazette, the incident unfolded on Friday when Mr. Ojulari was allegedly confronted by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede and State Security Service (SSS) Director-General Adeola Ajayi.
Sources within national security circles described the move as “a coup d’état,” claiming President Bola Tinubu was not consulted.
Officials familiar with the development said Mr. Ojulari was questioned about possible links to Olatimbo Ayinde, a British-Nigerian oil businesswoman who has gained influence within the Tinubu administration.
“Mr Ojulari told us he didn’t know Olatimbo Ayinde,” one official disclosed anonymously to The Gazette.
Appointed by President Tinubu in April, Mr. Ojulari was chosen for his expertise in hydrocarbons, having served as a senior executive at Shell Nigeria.
Efforts to obtain his comment on the alleged resignation were unsuccessful as of Saturday morning. Inquiries to the presidency, the SSS, and the EFCC also remained unanswered.
The NNPCL chief has faced criticism in recent weeks over his approval of a company delegation’s trip to an oil and gas conference in Kigali. Reports suggested the trip cost millions of dollars, though the exact figure remains unclear. Mr. Ojulari has dismissed the allegations, attributing them to political adversaries.
(PEOPLES GAZETTE)