Former Senator Shehu Sani has addressed the controversy surrounding Bayo Ojulari’s appointment as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), dismissing allegations that President Bola Tinubu’s decision was based on ethnic favoritism towards Yorubas.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday evening, the APC chieftain labeled the criticism “unfortunate” and urged Nigerians to focus on the potential benefits of the appointment for Northern Nigeria, rather than its ethnic implications.
“Those who think that the new CEO of NNPCL, Bayo, is another Yoruba appointment despite the fact that he is from Kwara State in the geographical north of the country is unfortunate,” the former lawmaker stated.
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He emphasized that “antagonizing Ojulari makes no sense,” and suggested that his appointment should be viewed as an opportunity to revive oil exploration activities in Northern Nigeria.
“This should rather be another opportunity to appreciate his appointment and demand that he reactivate the oil exploration activities in Northern Nigeria, particularly in Borno, Bauchi, Sokoto, Gombe, and Kebbi states,” he wrote.
Senator Shehu Sani also criticized those promoting ethnic divisions, urging them to abandon such narrow-minded sentiments. “Ethnic jingoists should go and rest,” he bluntly stated.
On April 2, 2025, President Tinubu dissolved the NNPC Limited board and appointed Bayo Ojulari as the new GCEO, with Ahmadu Musa Kida replacing Chief Pius Akinyelure as the non-executive chairman.
This decision sparked controversy, with critics accusing the president of ethnic bias in his appointments.
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