NNPC CEO’s fate hangs in the balance over deals with Atiku’s son-in-law

Ojulari

The days of Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited are numbered, TheCable has been informed.

Although there are reports that he has resigned, TheCable learnt from insiders that he has not thrown in the towel yet, “but only a miracle will keep him in office at this stage”.

President Bola Tinubu, who appointed him to replace Mele Kyari only four months ago, is said to be “livid” over security reports on Ojulari’s activities so far in office.

Abdullahi Bashir-Haske, the founder and group managing director of AA&R, is married to the daughter of Atiku Abubakar, the former vice-president.

Atiku is a presidential hopeful on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and is likely to come up against Tinubu in 2027.

THE BARU LINK

Bashir-Haske, Atiku’s son-in-law, reportedly enjoyed regular NNPC patronage when Maikanti Baru was the chief executive from 2016 to 2019.

Baru died in 2020 during the COVID pandemic.

Kyari, who was the group general manager of the crude oil marketing division of the national oil company, succeeded Baru.

When he took over the reins, Kyari was reportedly unhappy with Bashir-Haske and subsequently cut him off from NNPC patronage.

Bashir-Haske, however, continued to do business with Ojulari, who was operating in the oil sector in various capacities, notably as MD of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) and later as founder/chairman of BAT Advisory & Energy Company Nigeria Ltd.