With the Benue state Governor Rev Allia on an official visit

At the Benue governor's Lodge

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

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.

The NNPC GCEO has been a subject of money laundering investigations following the alleged transfer of millions of dollars to the account of AA&R Investment Group, a company with interests in energy, agribusiness, logistics, and information communication technology.

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.

BAT Advisory & Energy advised Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited in its $2 billion takeover of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

‘ *SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY’*

Following his appointment as NNPC GCEO in April, Ojulari restored all the privileges Bashir-Haske had been denied by Kyari.

Some of the transactions between NNPC and Bashir-Haske were flagged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sources told TheCable.

The anti-graft body has questioned Bashir-Haske, accusing him of orchestrating “large-scale money laundering through sophisticated financial structures”.

There are now allegations that NNPC was, perhaps inadvertently, funding the opposition through him.

“The president is livid with rage. He sees this as a stab in the back,” insiders told TheCable.

“A form of soft landing will be provided for Ojulari to exit, as removing him now seems to be too early in the day.

“What Ojulari has been doing amounts to sleeping with the enemy.”

Creating values while we live on this planet is important

African leaders must work towards liberating the continent from the shackles of underdevelopment as the west moves closer to shutting their borders against the whole continent our leaders cannot continue to take our stolen wealth to the very west that sees us as good for nothing.The UK fought to liberate Europe frome the Nazis our fore fathers from Africa fought with their life to help them liberate Europe yet as of today it's the grandchildren of the Nazis that are warmly welcome with passports and not the African children that their forefathers help to liberate Europe and lost their lives,what an irony

Iyom Senator Uche Ekwunife defends her turf

Every political contest is local, and no leader would be pleased to lose a battle in their own backyard.

On Friday, August 1, 2025, the former Senator representing Anambra Central, Senator Iyom Uche Ekwunife, and the deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), demonstrated that Nri Kingdom remains supportive of her.

Same day, during a rally at Nri community hosted by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to endorse Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for a second term, the Governor announced that the contract for the road connecting Nri to Nimo had been awarded.

While this rally was taking place, another gathering occurred at Senator Ekwunife’s residence. Community members came together to honour her, recognizing her long years of service and dedication to the development of their community. It was a massive statement from the amiable Senator that she will not be retired early.

As shown in a video from the event, members of the community accross party divides gathered in large numbers to express their appreciation and solidarity to her. The organic gathering rivalled the APGA rally.

Game on!

Uche Nworah Ph.D

Hello

Happy to be on lokats app