Former Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to grant Bashir Ojulari full autonomy as the new Group Managing Director and CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), warning against political interference.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Adebayo cautioned that Ojulari must resist pressures to use his office to finance political interests or risk becoming “just another version of his predecessors.”
“The mandate given to Ojulari is too modest,” Adebayo said.
“If I were the president, I’d set a target twice as ambitious. After 21 years advising oil companies globally, I can say you don’t make decisions when you appoint a new CEO — you follow a long-term strategy. But what we see now is not much different from Mele Kyari’s playbook. Tinubu is merely re-echoing old directives.”
In a pointed critique of the Tinubu-led government, Adebayo described Nigeria’s economic state as dire, citing widespread hunger, a weakened naira, crumbling infrastructure, and soaring unemployment.
“This government’s performance is rated very low,” he said. “That 21% approval is a failure.”
Calling for immediate intervention, the SDP chieftain urged the administration to divert at least 10% of the national budget to direct employment initiatives, saying it could deliver short-term relief and long-term benefits.
Adebayo also aimed at those proclaiming President Tinubu’s political invincibility. “Only God is unshakeable,” he declared.
“We will engage Nigerians and ensure Tinubu is a one-term president.”
Addressing new members joining the SDP, Adebayo called for a clean break from the past.
“They must shed their old garments and embrace the values of our party — transparency, accountability, and grassroots mobilisation. Unlike others, the SDP is not built on corruption, impunity, or political theatrics. Our structure is the Nigerian people.”
He warned against the arrogance of former officeholders who believe their past titles outweigh the power of a single vote. “A vote is greater than any résumé,” he said.
