by Opeyemi Oye-
In a firm rebuttal of recent media speculation, Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari has clarified that his resignation as Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) was entirely voluntary and not the result of coercion or external pressure.
Responding to online reports suggesting that he was “abducted and forced to resign” by security operatives, Ojulari described the allegations as “laughably fictional” and “more fitting for a Nollywood thriller than responsible journalism.”
In a personally signed statement titled “REBUTTAL: Bayo Ojulari Clarifies Resignation, Dismisses ‘Abduction’ Claims as Fiction”, the former GCEO stated:
“I was neither arrested nor strong-armed into resigning. 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.”
He added:
“My resignation was a personal decision, submitted through the appropriate channels—not at gunpoint in some spy movie scenario.”
Ojulari emphasized that contrary to the report by Peoples Gazette, there was no midnight drama or covert operations surrounding his exit. He said the narrative being pushed online was nothing more than a “poorly scripted work of fiction.”
“If I were to be ‘forced out,’ it certainly wouldn’t be in silence. I would have at least negotiated for a better headline!” he quipped.
Clarifying his participation in the Kigali oil and gas conference, Ojulari described it as a legitimate business trip intended to promote Nigeria’s interests in the global energy space.
On claims linking his resignation to British-Nigerian businesswoman, Olatimbo Ayinde, Ojulari expressed confusion over her repeated mention in media reports, stating:
“I have no personal or professional relationship with Ms. Ayinde. I find it curious that her name keeps appearing in these unrelated matters.”
He further defended his integrity, saying:
“I’ve spent decades in the oil and gas industry, building a reputation based on transparency and expertise—not gossip columns.”
Ojulari concluded by urging the public to disregard the “sensationalism and conspiracy theories” circulating online and instead rely on verified information from official channels.
“After all,” he added with a touch of irony, “if I were going to stage a dramatic exit, I’d at least make sure it came with a soundtrack and better lighting.”
NNPC Ltd has not issued any conflicting statement and continues to operate without interruption following Ojulari’s departure.
