Bayo Ojulari Denies Abduction Claims, Says Resignation as NNPC GCEO Was Voluntary

Mr. Bayo Bashir Ojulari has clarified that his resignation as Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) was entirely voluntary, dismissing rumors of coercion or abduction as baseless.

In a statement titled “REBUTTAL: BAYO OJULARI CLARIFIES RESIGNATION, DISMISSES ‘ABDUCTION’ CLAIMS AS FICTION,” Ojulari refuted a report by Peoples Gazette alleging that he was forcibly removed from office by security operatives.

He described the story as a sensational fabrication more fitting for a Nollywood drama than credible journalism.

Ojulari explained that his resignation followed proper consultations with authorities in Abuja and was prompted by his own sense of accountability, particularly after the unwarranted controversy surrounding his official trip to an oil and gas conference in Kigali.

“I was neither arrested nor pressured to resign,” Ojulari stated humorously. “The only ‘pressure’ came from my commitment to integrity. My resignation was a personal decision, submitted through the right channels—not some dramatic, gunpoint scenario.”

He also dismissed claims that the EFCC Chairman and DSS Director-General orchestrated his removal, calling the allegations absurd. “If I were being forced out, I’d at least negotiate for a better headline,” he quipped.

Addressing insinuations involving British-Nigerian businesswoman Olatimbo Ayinde, Ojulari emphasized that he had no dealings with her and expressed surprise at her name being dragged into unrelated matters. “My career has been built on transparency, not gossip,” he asserted.

Concluding his rebuttal, Ojulari urged the public to disregard the false narrative, reaffirming that his resignation was honorable and that the NNPCL remains focused on its mission.

“If I wanted a dramatic exit, I’d ensure it had better lighting and a soundtrack,” he joked.

The statement reiterated that only official sources should be trusted for accurate information on the matter.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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