Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, has refuted allegations by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu is advancing a “Yorubacentric” agenda in his appointments within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the financial sector.
In a detailed analysis shared on social media, Omokri dissected the composition of key federal appointments, particularly within the NNPCL, to debunk claims of ethnic favouritism.
Omokri shared the current structure of the NNPCL Board:
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 emphasized that only two board members hail from the Southwest, contrary to claims of ethnic dominance.
He also reviewed executive oversight at the cabinet level:
Heineken Lokpobiri (Minister of State for Petroleum Resources – Oil): South-South
Ekperikpe Ekpo (Minister of State for Petroleum Resources – Gas): South-South
Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella (Permanent Secretary, Petroleum Resources): North-Central
According to Omokri, the South-South enjoys the most significant representation, both at the board and executive levels.
Omokri also addressed leadership within the top revenue-generating agencies in Nigeria:
NNPCL: Mele Kyari (Northeast)
Nigerian Ports Authority: Abubakar Dantsoho (Northeast)
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria: Olubunmi Oluwaseun Kuku (Southwest)
Nigerian Communications Commission: Aminu Maida (Northwest)
Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency: Dayo Mobereola (Southwest)
Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation: Bello Hassan (Northwest)
He noted that out of these six agencies, only two are led by individuals from the Southwest.
Omokri accused El-Rufai of engaging in “ethnic baiting” and spreading misinformation. He warned that such claims if left unchallenged, could create unnecessary tensions and destabilize market confidence.
“Flowing from the above, where is the Yorubanisation or Yorubacentricity?” Omokri queried.
