Stakeholders in the Niger Delta at the weekend strongly rejected claims by Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), that his management team is under “attack” due to oil sector reforms. Critics argued that no meaningful reform has occurred—especially given the continued failure of the nation’s three flagship refineries.

Ojulari’s claims have been greeted by a wave of backlash as civil society groups—including OilWatch Nigeria, Workers’ Rights Alliance, and Concerned Citizens Watch—accused him of deflecting criticism with claims of being targeted by a "cartel," while failing to deliver actual benefits to oil-producing communities.

Ojulari's claims come amid growing discontent in the Niger Delta, where several stakeholder groups, have renewed their calls for his investigation and prosecution over an alleged $21 million (?34.65 billion) corruption scandal.

The controversy stems from allegations that an associate of Ojulari was recently detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reportedly unearthing a wide-ranging fraud scheme within the NNPCL. The coalition maintains that these developments are being overshadowed by what they describe as a calculated narrative by Ojulari to deflect attention by claiming victimhood.

“This storyline about a so-called cartel targeting the GCEO is a smokescreen to distract from the serious corruption allegations and systemic failures within NNPCL.

Leaders from the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Forum, who had earlier suspended a planned mass protest in favour of dialogue, have expressed frustration with the GCEO’s rhetoric. They argued that Ojulari's statements are an attempt to dodge accountability and deflect from deep-rooted issues affecting oil-producing communities.

“We, the stakeholders of the Niger Delta, categorically reject the GCEO’s claims of persecution. Instead of playing the victim, he should address the long-standing issues of marginalization, nepotism, and lopsided policy implementation that continue to plague NNPCL,” the groups said in a joint statement signed by Clement Mmekomabasi.

One of the most contentious issues raised is the composition of the NNPCL board, which critics say lacks adequate representation from the Niger Delta region—despite being the heart of Nigeria’s oil industry.

“The people of the Niger Delta cannot be sidelined in conversations about reforms when they bear the brunt of oil exploration and environmental degradation.

"While the GCEO has touted ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in the oil sector, critics argued that these changes have yielded no visible benefits for local communities. On the contrary, the lack of inclusive governance, rising corruption allegations, and persistent marginalization are fueling resentment across the region.

Stakeholders insist that without genuine transparency and inclusion, no reform can be deemed credible.

“We will not stand by while NNPCL leadership continues to perpetuate injustice and inequality. The credibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is at stake. What the oil sector needs is not PR stunts, but a real overhaul driven by accountability.”

While the GCEO positions himself as a reformer facing resistance, stakeholders in the Niger Delta paint a starkly different picture—one where ambition has yet to translate into tangible progress. "Without functional refineries, inclusive governance, and transparent handling of public funds, claims of reform ring increasingly hollow", they contended.