By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

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 Kwaran, Mr Bashir Ojulari, as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

The Elders Caucus in a strongly worded statement wondered why some northerners would want to view Kwarans as southerners whenever it comes to issues of appointments and other benefits.

The statement was 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 the Secretary, Hon. AbdulMumini Katibi.

“As members of the APC in the North Central zone, we are taken aback and surprised that the appointment of Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, who is no doubt a proud son of Kwara State from the Igbomina stock, is being criticised by some northerners and a few southerners alike, who are claiming that the President has appointed a Yoruba man to head the corporation.

“It is quite ironical 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 or Northern Nigeria?

“Geographically, Nigeria is divided into six geo-political zones and Kwara definitely is part of the North Central zone.

“We believe that the past pedigree of Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari 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 ability and competency of appointees into office, rather than being sentimental and trivialising issues, on the appointments of Mr. President, such as is being expressed in this case of Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari’s appointment. This is 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 had been done for 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, Mall. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for the noble roles he had played in ensuring Kwara citizens get Federal appointments.

“As Elders of the APC in the State, we appreciate and salute him for his efforts in the general development of Kwara State and pledge our unalloyed loyalty to him and his administration.

“To our son, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, we want to congratulate him for the well deserved appointment. We are confident that he will discharge the functions of his Office most diligently and to the best of his ability. “