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Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has responded to allegations by former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of pursuing a “Yorubacentric” agenda in its appointments, particularly within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and key sectors of the economy.
In a detailed social media post, Omokri outlined the composition of the NNPCL Board to counter claims of ethnic favoritism:
“Chief Pius Akinyelure (Non-Executive Board Chairman): Southwest, Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari (Group CEO): Northeast, Adedapo Segun (Chief Financial Officer): Southwest, Mr. Ledum Mitee (Non-Executive Director): South-South, Mr. Musa Tumsa (Non-Executive Director): Northeast, Mr. Ghali Muhammad (Non-Executive Director): North-Central, Prof. Mustapha Aliyu (Non-Executive Director): Northwest, Mr. David Ogbodo (Non-Executive Director): Southeast, Ms. Eunice Thomas (Non-Executive Director): South-South”.
Omokri stressed that only two board members are from the Southwest, disproving allegations of ethnic dominance.
He also highlighted the executive leadership of the petroleum sector, noting that:
“Heineken Lokpobiri (Minister of State for Petroleum Resources – Oil) is from the South-South, Ekperikpe Ekpo (Minister of State for Petroleum Resources – Gas) is also from the South-South., Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella (Permanent Secretary, Petroleum Resources) hails from the North-Central.”
According to Omokri, the South-South holds the most prominent representation in this sector.
Further examining leadership in Nigeria’s top revenue-generating agencies, Omokri pointed out that: “NNPCL is led by Mele Kyari (Northeast), Nigerian Ports Authority is headed by Abubakar Dantsoho (Northeast), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is under Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku (Southwest), Nigerian Communications Commission is led by Aminu Maida (Northwest), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is directed by Dayo Mobereola (Southwest), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation is headed by Bello Hassan (Northwest).”
He observed that only two of these six agencies are led by individuals from the Southwest, debunking claims of Yorubacentric appointments.
Omokri accused El-Rufai of engaging in “ethnic baiting” and warned that such claims could fuel unnecessary tensions and harm market stability. He urged Nigerians to reject divisive narratives and focus on unity.
“Based on these facts, where is the alleged Yorubanisation or Yorubacentric agenda?” Omokri questioned, emphasizing that the accusations are unfounded and contrary to the evidence.