A combined photo of Bayo Ojulari and NNPCL logo
By Victory Oghene
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Mr Bayo Bashir Ojulari has confirmed his resignation from the NNPCL.
Contrary to reports making the rounds that he was forced to resign at gunpoint, Mr Ojulari said he resigned voluntarily and was not forced to resign. He added that there was no drama around his resignation, insisting he did it voluntarily. It was not at gunpoint, he maintained.
His clarification was contained in a statement doing the rounds entitled: “REBUTTAL: BAYO OJULARI CLARIFIES RESIGNATION, DISMISSES ‘ABDUCTION’ CLAIMS AS FICTION.”
The statement said that contrary to the sensational and wildly inaccurate report by Peoples Gazette alleging that the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Bayo Ojulari, was “abducted and forced to resign” by security officials, “we categorically state that the story is nothing more than a poorly scripted work of fiction, better suited for a Nollywood thriller than credible journalism.
“Unlike the Gazette’s dramatic tale of midnight kidnappings and shadowy coups, Mr. Ojulari voluntarily tendered his resignation after due consultations with higher authorities in Abuja.
“His decision followed the recent official trip to Kigali for an oil and gas conference—a legitimate business engagement aimed at advancing Nigeria’s energy sector interests.
“I was neither arrested nor strong-armed into resigning,” Mr. Ojulari clarified with amusement. “In fact, the only ‘pressure’ I faced was from my own conscience and commitment to accountability after the unnecessary controversy stirred around the Kigali trip.
“My resignation was a personal decision, submitted through the appropriate channels—not at gunpoint in some spy movie scenario.”
The report’s claim that EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi orchestrated an illegal “coup” to remove him is not only baseless but laughable.
“If I were to be ‘forced out,’ it certainly wouldn’t be in silence—I’d have at least negotiated for a better headline!” Ojulari joked.
“As for the bizarre insinuations about British-Nigerian businesswoman Olatimbo Ayinde, Mr. Ojulari maintains that he has no personal or professional dealings with her and finds it curious that her name keeps appearing in unrelated matters.
“I’ve spent decades in the oil and gas industry, building a reputation on transparency and expertise—not gossip columns,” he stated firmly.
“While Peoples Gazette may thrive on conspiracy theories and clickbait, the truth remains simple: Mr. Ojulari resigned honorably, the NNPCL continues its operations uninterrupted, and Nigeria’s energy sector remains focused on progress—not palace intrigue.
The unsigned statement believed to have been released by his minders said: “We urge the public to disregard this fictional account and instead rely on verified statements from official channels. After all, in the words of Mr. Ojulari: “If I were going to stage a dramatic exit, I’d at least make sure it came with a soundtrack and better lighting.”
A reliable Presidency source informed NATIONAL WAVES that Ojulari, has not resigned.
The source described the claims as “false and rubbish.”
The reports suggested that Ojulari was compelled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tender his resignation. However, the Presidency source dismissed these claims as untrue.
