Arewa group urges northerners to support NNPC boss Ojulari
The Arewa Elders and Youths Forum (AEYF) has cautioned those it described as “mischief makers” against making baseless allegations and casting aspersions on the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Bayo Ojulari.
Speaking to journalists in Kano on Friday, AEYF Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Magaji, called on Nigerians especially those from the North to rally behind Ojulari to ensure his success in the role.
Magaji also commended President Bola Tinubu for his foresight in appointing Ojulari, describing the decision as a step in the right direction for the nation’s oil and gas sector.
He said, “Those northerners castigating and blackmailing Ojulari should note that the NNPC boss hails from Kwara state and therefore, he is a northerner, hence he belongs to the 19 northern states of the country.”
Alhaji Magaji also added that aside from been a Northerner, Ojulari merited the position he is appointed to serve adding that” the country is in need of capable hands that would contribute in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“It is high time we stopped regional sentiment and measure people appointed to positions in terms of their capacity and credibility,” he said.
“We are going to mobilise all Northerners -women, youths, governors, traditional rulers and even politicians from the North, to give him maximum support to deliver in the oil sector and make president and Nigerians proud.
“We are calling on him to help in exploration of Kolmani oil drilling in Bauchi and Gombe states, because he has been making views on Komani oil drilling.
“It should be recalled that Komani oil drilling was abandoned, the present government of President Bola Tinubu has raised hope in resuscitating and drilling it.
“We were behind him and we will mobilise patriotic people to rally around him to succeed and for the project to see the light of the day.
“We the people of North should not dance to the tune music of some disgruntled elements to blackmailing an innocent man to tagged him as non Northerner, without substantiated facts and evidence.
Magaji hinted that if by tomorrow, a person from Kaba, who happens to be Yoruba, is appointed as a minister, will these enemies of progress come out and label him as non Northerner? -The question we should ask them is …is Kaba not part of Kogi state and Kogi state not part of the 19 northern states?
“This unnecessary insinuation from the disgruntled elements will not eroded our support for the NNPC boss (Ojulari); he is a true Nigerian and hails from Kwara state,” he said.
