Business
NNPC uncovers sabotage plot against leadership, vows reforms will continue
NNPC leadership uncovers sabotage campaign by internal and external actors. New GCEO Bayo Ojulari vows transformation into a corruption-free firm will continue.
NNPC leadership uncovers sabotage campaign by internal and external actors. New GCEO Bayo Ojulari vows transformation into a corruption-free firm will continue
NNPC leadership under the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, has raised the alarm over a coordinated sabotage campaign allegedly orchestrated by internal and external actors threatened by the company’s anti-corruption drive.
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In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited disclosed that a syndicate of known and faceless individuals is actively working to derail its transformation into a performance-driven, transparent energy institution.
The campaign reportedly includes the dissemination of fabricated stories aimed at discrediting the reform-minded leadership.
“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has uncovered an emerging coordinated sabotage campaign being waged by a syndicate of known and faceless actors, both outside and within various levels of the organisation,” the statement read.
“This group is actively spreading lies and misinformation simply to discredit NNPC Ltd’s leadership and derail the organisation’s ongoing transformation into a corruption-free, performance-driven energy company.”
Ojulari, who took over from Mele Kyari following his removal by President Bola Tinubu on 2 April 2025, has pledged to pursue deep institutional reforms. The company stated that resistance was expected from individuals opposed to transparency and accountability.
“Their tactics include planting scandalous and fabricated reports, curated to distract leadership, mislead the public, and undermine the commitment of our dedicated workforce and reform-minded Nigerians,” the statement added.
According to the NNPC, those behind the campaign are threatened by the firm’s new direction and are determined to obstruct efforts that align with the president’s anti-corruption vision.
Despite anticipating more defamatory content in the near future, the company insists that its mission remains unchanged. “We expect a surge of defamatory content in the days and weeks ahead. NNPC Ltd remains undeterred. The transformation is underway, and no amount of sabotage will stop it,” it assured.
The statement concluded by calling on staff, stakeholders, and the Nigerian public to remain focused and not be swayed by distractions. “We urge our dedicated staff, stakeholders, and all patriotic Nigerians to stay focused, ignore the noise and not be discouraged. We remain on a mission.”
Also read: Tinubu inaugurates NNPCL board, management
The NNPC is yet to appoint a new spokesperson following the recent resignation of Olufemi Soneye on Saturday, leaving the organisation’s media relations in transition amid these unfolding developments.
The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.
In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.
According to NDCCITMA, it applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284.
The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.
“Economic Summit” is a generic expression
NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.
The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.
It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.
Court grants interim injunction
Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.
The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.
According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.
The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.
Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim
NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.
The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.
It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.
Summit opens September 15
Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.
The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.
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