Northern group defends Tinubu over NNPCL row

The Concerned Northern Forum has strongly refuted claims of ethnic bias within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), warning against narratives that could fracture national unity. The group, speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, expressed full confidence in NNPCL's leadership and operational integrity.

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We reject in its entirety any attempt to use the activities of NNPC Limited to divide Nigerians along regional lines. Nigeria cannot afford narratives that undermine national unity at a time when collective progress should be our priority.

Aliyu Muhammad, the forum's convener, addressed recent reports alleging irregularities in NNPCL's recruitment and the suspension of oil exploration in Northern Nigeria. He described these reports as misleading and capable of inciting unnecessary tension, stating that the forum reviewed the allegations alongside the company's clarifications.

"We reject in its entirety any attempt to use the activities of NNPC Limited to divide Nigerians along regional lines," Muhammad declared. He argued that such narratives unfairly pit regions against each other and undermine a national institution. Muhammad clarified that the appointments cited in the reports occurred in the third quarter of 2025 and were publicly announced, distinct from a later Employee Exit Scheme.

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It is grossly misleading to resurrect a recruitment exercise that is nearly a year old and link it to the Employee Exit Scheme that took effect on June 30, 2026. These are two separate corporate events.

The forum emphasized that the 2025 recruitment followed a competitive, merit-driven process to fill specialized vacancies, aligning with the company's transformation agenda. They dismissed suggestions that competence should be compromised for other considerations as an insult to Nigerians' intelligence. The group also criticized the inclusion of employees hired before the current management, deeming it a sensationalist tactic to mislead the public.

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The process was strictly merit-driven, competency-based and tied to approved workforce plans. The suggestion that competence should be sacrificed for any other consideration is an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians who desire a national oil company that works.