The Elders’ Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has taken a swipe at some Northerners for criticising the appointment of a Kwara State indigene, Mr. Bashir Ojulari, as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
The statement, jointly signed by the Chairman of the APC Elders’ Caucus, Barr. Kunle Sulaiman (Kwara Central); Deputy Chairman, Senator Mohammed Ahmed (Kwara North); Deputy Chairman, Chief James Ayeni (Kwara South); and Secretary, Hon. AbdulMumini Katibi, wondered why some people would seek to classify Kwarans as Southerners whenever issues of appointments and benefits arise.
“As members of the APC in the North Central zone, we are taken aback and surprised that the appointment of Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who is no doubt a proud son of Kwara State from the Igbomina stock, is being criticized by some Northerners and a few Southerners alike, who are claiming that the President has appointed a Yoruba man to head the corporation.
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“It is quite ironic that some of these elements from Northern Nigeria are also complaining and insinuating that the position has been given to a non-Northerner.
The question we would like to ask them is: where does Kwara State belong? Southern Nigeria?
“Geographically, Nigeria is divided into six geo-political zones, and Kwara State is definitely part of the North Central zone.
“We believe that Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari’s pedigree and his rich experience in the oil industry were the underlying factors and rationale that qualified him on merit, which, therefore, led to his well-deserved recognition and subsequent appointment as GCEO of NNPCL.
“We would like to advise Nigerians to be more focused on the ability and competence of appointees to office, rather than being sentimental and trivializing issues surrounding presidential appointments, as is being expressed in this case of Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari’s appointment. This is necessary for progress and development to thrive in Nigeria,” they said.
They added: “The Kwara APC Elders’ Caucus appreciates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and thanks him immensely for this appointment and others that have been given to us in Kwara State. We are indeed very happy and grateful to him.
“We also want to thank our leader, the Executive Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for the noble roles he has played in ensuring that Kwara State citizens secure federal appointments.
“As elders of the APC in the state, we appreciate and salute him for his efforts in the overall development of Kwara State and pledge our unalloyed loyalty to him and his administration.
“To our son, Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari, we want to congratulate him on his well-deserved appointment. We are confident that he will discharge the functions of his office diligently and to the best of his ability.”