— Labels Accusations Against Ojulari as Politically Motivated, Unpatriotic
Abuja, Nigeria – The Niger Delta Peace Awareness Movement (NDPAM) has issued a strong condemnation of a recent protest staged at the NNPC Towers in Abuja by the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum, describing the demonstration as “ethnically biased, politically motivated, and devoid of genuine concern for the Niger Delta region.”
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the National Leader of NDPAM, Alhaji Awo H.D Amir, criticized the group’s call for the removal of Bayo Ojulari, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing it as “unfair and laughable.”
“The NNPCL is a federal government-owned entity. Demanding Ojulari’s removal simply because he is not from the Niger Delta is not only unjust but also ridiculous,” Amir said.
He added that the appointment of Ojulari was based on merit and national unity, emphasizing that every qualified Nigerian—regardless of region—is eligible to hold public office in the country.
Amir also came to the defence of the NNPCL boss regarding the state of Nigeria’s refineries, stating that the facilities had been non-functional long before Ojulari’s appointment.
“Blaming him for the years of neglect that predated his leadership is wicked and unpatriotic. Ojulari is doing his best to revamp the sector,” he said.
The NDPAM further advised Niger Delta youths to steer clear of politically motivated protests and avoid being used as tools to push divisive agendas. According to Amir, there are multiple federal and state agencies, as well as multinational companies, where qualified Niger Deltans can pursue meaningful opportunities.
“We need to move away from selective targeting of NNPCL and start looking at the bigger picture. Development of the Niger Delta region requires collective effort—not blame games,” he stated.
Amir also questioned the motives behind the protest, suggesting that many of those involved may not be sincerely interested in the region’s progress.
“How many of them are truly willing to work if given the opportunity? Are they seeking real solutions or just looking for handouts and the next protest to cash in on?” he queried.
The group urged youths in the region to take responsibility for the growth of their communities and pursue more constructive approaches to development.
“It’s time to move past the gimmicks and embrace real, long-term solutions. Our communities deserve sustainable growth, not short-term noise,” Amir concluded.
The statement from NDPAM comes amid growing concerns over rising ethnic tensions in public discourse and appointments, particularly in critical national institutions such as the NNPCL.
