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.