By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
The Niger Delta Peace Awareness Movement (NDPAM) has criticized the recent protest by the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) headquarters in Abuja, describing it as baseless and driven by ethnic sentiment.
The protesters had demanded the removal of NNPCL Group Managing Director, Bayo Ojulari, alleging bias against the Niger Delta.
But in a statement signed by its National Leader, Alhaji Awo H.D. Amir, NDPAM dismissed the call as unfair and divisive.
“The NNPCL is a federal government-owned corporation, not the property of the Niger Delta. Demanding Ojulari’s sack simply because he is not from the region is laughable and unpatriotic,” Amir said.
He argued that Ojulari has been working to revamp the refineries, which had remained comatose for years before his appointment.
NDPAM also urged Niger Delta youths to channel their energy into productive ventures and community development rather than staging protests for political or financial gain.
“We must stop this selective clamping down on NNPCL and look at the bigger picture. Development will not come from constant protests but from taking responsibility for our region’s growth,” Amir added.
The group further questioned the sincerity of the protesters, suggesting that their motives may be self-serving.
