Members of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF) on Wednesday stormed the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) in Abuja, demanding the resignation of its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mr Bashir Ojulari.
The protesters accused Ojulari of corruption, mismanagement, and the unlawful dismissal of Niger Delta directors in the company. They also called for his replacement with an indigene of the oil-rich region.
Arriving in large numbers, the youths blocked the main entrance and exit of the NNPC Towers, chanting solidarity songs and displaying banners, some of which demanded the reopening of the Port Harcourt Refinery and the reinstatement of sacked Niger Delta staff.
The demonstration disrupted vehicular movement, forcing motorists and company workers to park several metres away, while security operatives tried to restore order and ease traffic congestion.
Normalcy later returned after NNPC’s management held a closed-door meeting with some leaders of the coalition.
Speaking after the meeting, Comrade Edet Eyo, President of the Oro Youth Movement (OYOM), said management assured them that their concerns would be addressed. He added that the group would consult its members on whether to suspend the protest.
(NAN)