An Ibadan based group, the O’Odua Awareness Forum, on Tuesday has warned that unless the squabbles in the management structure of the NNPCL was addressed immediately, operations of the group could grind to a halt and frowned at the activities of the duo of Mrs Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan (Executive Vice President, Upstream and Umar Ajuya ( Chief Finance Officer) of the group against Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Operating Officer (GCEO), accusing them of being masterminds of the headache of the boss of NNPCL.
The Group said that the power struggle and sabotage within the NNPCL and allegedly being championed by the detractors of Mele Kyari ( Eyesan and Ajuya) was not good enough for the NNPCL.
The Group made it clear that the unrelenting interminable squabbles in the management structure of the NNPCL has to be stemmed immediately, one way or the other, else operations could grind to a halt in the Group.
In a Press Statement signed by Salako Emiola (President) and Jayeola Oluwasesan (Secretary), noted that in tandem with old reports, new tales coming from the nation’s apex oil and gas regulatory body continue to reveal the same disturbing pattern of unholy plots to disorientate the NNPCL and create chaos.
According to the group;”The duo of Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Executive Vice President, Upstream, and Umar Ajuya, Chief Finance Officer of the Group are still neck deep in desperate schemes to oust Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Operating Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL”.
“It therefore beats the imagination why the Board of Directors of the NNPCL appear to bury their heads in the sand, pretending ignorance of the subsisting latent raucous in the group. Be that as it may, it must be emphasized here that only Mr. President has the sole prerogative to remove Mele Kyari.
The shameless rivalry of Eyesan and Ajuya, leaves a very sour taste in the mouth, though their activities remain a storm in a tea cup”, the group added.
The O’Odua Awareness Forum said that the duo have made themselves cogs in the wheel, uncooperative and had blatantly refused to work hand in gloves with the GCEO to move the apex oil management body forward, adding that; “Their unending acts of sabotage, one after the other, to rubbish and pull down Mele Kyari remain glaring to the discerning public.The complicity of Eyesan and Ajuya in every failure so recorded in the operations of the NNPCL stems from their selfish ambition to succeed Kyari if he is unceremoniously exited from the group.The two are senior top management officials in the group, and seem unable to wait their turn”.
The Group wrote; “Eyesan is said to have her eyes on the top spot if Kyari’s successor is to come from the South, while Ajuya has positioned himself for the role if the successor is to be picked from the North. In this vein, their actions and connivance undermine Mele Kyari’s leadership and so potentially destabilizes the NNPCL.
Their sponsored media attacks and character assassination against Kyari are replete in both the social and conventional media.
The duo had recently recruited individuals to sustain a campaign of calumny against Kyari. One such individual, Sara-Igbe, was not too long ago engaged to bring down the GCEO of the NNPCL. While on national TV, Sara-Igbe, tried his best to tarnish and discredit the GCEO – where he threatened fire and brimstone, that if Kyari was not removed from office by Mr. President, armed insurrection would resume in the Niger Delta”.
The Group disclosed that; “As it is, all the artificial crisis and sabotage in the oil sector are orchestrated by Eyesan and Ajuya. The consistent artificial shortages of petroleum products often witnessed across the country and other crises within NNPC’s supply chains are meant to ridicule Kyari and bring the corporation into disrepute.The public shouldn’t look far or elsewhere, these problems are the wicked machinations of both Eyesan and Ajuya.Their actions are allegedly aimed to whittle down Kyari’s capacity in the public eyes, and as well perceive him as incompetent at his duties, just to pave way for their own ascension”.
The Group said that the legacy of the NNPCL boss should not be tarnished by internal power struggles and the selfish ambition of desperate colleagues.
Here Is The Full Statement By The O’ODUA AWARENESS FORUM:
The unrelenting interminable squabbles in the management structure of the NNPCL has to be stemmed immediately, one way or the other, else operations could grind to a halt in the Group.
In tandem with old reports, new tales coming from the nation’s apex oil and gas regulatory body – continue to reveal the same disturbing pattern of unholy plots to disorientate the NNPCL and create chaos.
The duo of Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, Executive Vice President, Upstream, and Umar Ajuya, Chief Finance Officer of the Group are still neck deep in desperate schemes to oust Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Operating Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL.
It therefore beats the imagination why the Board of Directors of the NNPCL appear to bury their heads in the sand, pretending ignorance of the subsisting latent raucous in the group. Be that as it may, it must be emphasized here that only Mr. President has the sole prerogative to remove Mele Kyari.
The shameless rivalry of Eyesan and Ajuya, leaves a very sour taste in the mouth, though their activities remain a storm in a tea cup.
They have made themselves cogs in the wheel, uncooperative and had blatantly refused to work hand in gloves with the GCEO to move the apex oil management body forward.
Their unending acts of sabotage, one after the other, to rubbish and pull down Mele Kyari remain glaring to the discerning public.
The complicity of Eyesan and Ajuya in every failure so recorded in the operations of the NNPCL stems from their selfish ambition to succeed Kyari if he is unceremoniously exited from the group.
The two are senior top management officials in the group, and seem unable to wait their turn.
Eyesan is said to have her eyes on the top spot if Kyari’s successor is to come from the South, while Ajuya has positioned himself for the role if the successor is to be picked from the North. In this vein, their actions and connivance undermine Mele Kyari’s leadership and so potentially destabilizes the NNPCL.
Their sponsored media attacks and character assassination against Kyari are replete in both the social and conventional media.
The duo had recently recruited individuals to sustain a campaign of calumny against Kyari. One such individual, Sara-Igbe, was not too long ago engaged to bring down the GCEO of the NNPCL.
While on national TV, Sara-Igbe, tried his nest to tarnish and discredit the GCEO – where he threatened fire and brimstone, that if Kyari was not removed from office by Mr. President, armed insurrection would resume in the Niger Delta.
As it is, all the artificial crisis and sabotage in the oil sector are orchestrated by Eyesan and Ajuya. The consistent artificial shortages of petroleum products often witnessed across the country and other crises within NNPC’s supply chains are meant to ridicule Kyari and bring the corporation into disrepute.
The public shouldn’t look far or elsewhere, these problems are the wicked machinations of both Eyesan and Ajuya.
Their actions are allegedly aimed to whittle down Kyari’s capacity in the public eyes, and as well perceive him as incompetent at his duties, just to pave way for their own ascension.
The foregoing therefore brings us to the questionable project management capability of Eyesan – which sort of rubs off on Mele Kyari, and foist doubts and public opprobrium on his ability to deliver on schedule.
Eyesan’s handling of key projects, such as the Port Harcourt refinery maintenance, therefore raises concerns.
Initially scheduled for completion in December 2023, Kyari had to eat his words, after a revised completion date was announced – sparking doubts about Eyesan’s project management capabilities.
Was the fate of Port-Harcourt Refinery, a deliberate action to spite the GCEO?
After all, the buck ends on the GCEO table. He had to take the blame for Eyesan’s malfeasance and acts of sabotage.
Predicated on the above, NNPC stakeholders, which includes, Mr. President, as Petroleum Minister, the Minister of State and Board of Directors, must address these allegations to ensure the corporation’s stability and continuity are sustained.
Transparency and accountability are crucial to resolving an organization’s internal dynamics in order to maintain public trust.
Mele Kyari’s achievements, including the Open Government initiative and his role as Nigerian National Representative at OPEC, demonstrate his commitment to NNPCL’s growth.
His legacy should not be tarnished by internal power struggles and the selfish ambition of desperate colleagues.
President Tinubu’s decision on Kyari’s tenure will significantly impact NNPC’s future. The already established stakeholders above must therefore prioritize the corporation’s interests over and above individual ambitions, to ensure the smooth and continued growth of the NNPCL, for the benefit of Nigerians.
SIGNED:
SALAKO EMIOLA
PRESIDENT
JAYEOLA OLUWASESAN
SECRETARY
