Niger Delta youths barricade NNPC towers, demand GCEO’s resignation

The Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF) on Wednesday staged a protest at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) Towers in Abuja, demanding the resignation of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Mr. Bashir Ojulari, over alleged corruption and mismanagement.

The protesters, who arrived in large numbers, blocked the main gates of the towers, chanting solidarity songs and displaying banners calling for Ojulari’s replacement with an indigene of the Niger Delta region.

They also demanded the reopening of the Port Harcourt Refinery and the reinstatement of Niger Delta indigenes allegedly sacked by the NNPC boss.

The demonstration caused heavy traffic gridlock around the area, forcing motorists and staff of NNPC Ltd. to park their vehicles far from the premises.

Security operatives were deployed to the scene to maintain order and ease traffic congestion.

Following hours of protest, NNPC management held a closed-door meeting with representatives of the youth coalition.

After the meeting, Comrade Edet Eyo, President of the Oro Youth Movement (OYOM), said the protesters agreed to suspend the action while consulting with their members, after management assured them that their demands would be addressed.

Normalcy was later restored at the towers after the meeting.