₦airaland Forum

The days of Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited are numbered, TheCable has been informed.

Although there are reports that he has resigned, TheCable learnt from insiders that he has not thrown in the towel yet, “but only a miracle will keep him in office at this stage”.

President Bola Tinubu, who appointed him to replace Mele Kyari only four months ago, is said to be “livid” over security reports on Ojulari’s activities so far in office.

The NNPC GCEO has been a subject of money laundering investigations following the alleged transfer of millions of dollars to the account of AA&R Investment Group, a company with interests in energy, agribusiness, logistics, and information communication technology.

Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, the founder and group managing director of AA&R, is married to the daughter of Atiku Abubakar, the former vice-president.

Atiku is a presidential hopeful on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and is likely to come up against Tinubu in 2027.

THE BARU LINK
Bashir-Haske, Atiku’s son-in-law, reportedly enjoyed regular NNPC patronage when Maikanti Baru was the chief executive from 2016 to 2019.

Baru died in 2020 during the COVID pandemic.

Kyari, who was the group general manager of the crude oil marketing division of the national oil company, succeeded Baru.

When he took over the reins, Kyari was reportedly unhappy with Bashir-Haske and subsequently cut him off from NNPC patronage.

Bashir-Haske, however, continued to do business with Ojulari, who was operating in the oil sector in various capacities, notably as MD of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and later as founder/chairman of BAT Advisory & Energy Company Nigeria Ltd.

BAT Advisory & Energy advised Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited in its $2 billion takeover of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

‘SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY’
Following his appointment as NNPC GCEO in April, Ojulari restored all the privileges Bashir-Haske had been denied by Kyari.

Some of the transactions between NNPC and Bashir-Haske were flagged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sources told TheCable.

The anti-graft body has questioned Bashir-Haske, accusing him of orchestrating “large-scale money laundering through sophisticated financial structures”.

There are now allegations that NNPC was, perhaps inadvertently, funding the opposition through him.

“The president is livid with rage. He sees this as a stab in the back,” insiders told TheCable.

“A form of soft landing will be provided for Ojulari to exit, as removing him now seems to be too early in the day.

“What Ojulari has been doing amounts to sleeping with the enemy.”

Omihanifa:
Bayo ojulari can't claim to be ignorant of who Abdullahi Bashir-Haske is

Doing transactions worth billions of naira with him through the NNPCL is even more suspicious.

AMINDA:
Why is Tunubu this paranoid about opposition and what's with the vendetta against people whom he feels have affiliations with opposition figures whether real or imagined? First was the news about one Ms. Achimugu, the alleged mistress of Sanwo-olu whom they accused of funding Atiku and is now facing trial. That also caused some bad blood between him and Sanwo-olu for a while. Before then, was the constant hounding of Dangote and his refinery for allegedly funding opposition. Now it's Ojulari and his business ties with Atiku's son-in-law. One can hazard a guess that the hostile takeover of Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom were done to cut-off perceived sources of funding for opposition. It's becoming paranoia at this point and it's pathetic for someone who obviously got some level of funding from businessmen like Tony Elumelu and Co.

AMINDA:
So the Abdullahi Haske should be deprived of business because he happens to be married to Atiku's daughter? Are you aware that Nuhu Ribadu is also Atiku's in-law? Where is Ojulari in all of these and why hasn't he made any statement or been seen since then? This is not a way to run a country nor win an election.

Esthered:
At this point, why did Femi the chief communications officer step down?

AMINDA:
So the Abdullahi Haske should be deprived of business because he happens to be married to Atiku's daughter? Are you aware that Nuhu Ribadu is also Atiku's in-law? Where is Ojulari in all of these and why hasn't he made any statement or been seen since then? This is not a way to run a country nor win an election.

Kelklein:
So much scandals for a man that claimed to come with so much reforms..

All these are simple signs of moral decadence.. the level of degeneration our society has gotten.. one that should get every right-thinking person..

NNPC is like the 'soul' of this nation.. and some few people colluding with some State actors to make a joke of it should bother every citizens of this country..

Those it May Concern should do the needful.. with all the seriousness this needs..🤔🤔

AMINDA:
Why is Tunubu this paranoid about opposition and what's with the vendetta against people whom he feels have affiliations with opposition figures whether real or imagined? First was the news about one Ms. Achimugu, the alleged mistress of Sanwo-olu whom they accused of funding Atiku and is now facing trial. That also caused some bad blood between him and Sanwo-olu for a while. Before then, was the constant hounding of Dangote and his refinery for allegedly funding opposition. Now it's Ojulari and his business ties with Atiku's son-in-law. One can hazard a guess that the hostile takeover of Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom were done to cut-off perceived sources of funding for opposition. It's becoming paranoia at this point and it's pathetic for someone who obviously got some level of funding from businessmen like Tony Elumelu and Co.