The Alliance of Nigerian Lawyers and Civil Society Advocates has launched a strong campaign to stop what it describes as a “sinister plot” by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), led by Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari, to sell the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries as scrap. The group is calling for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

The Alliance presented its grievances and demands during a rally at the National Assembly on Monday, July 21, 2025, urging President Tinubu to intervene and halt the planned sale of the refineries, emphasizing that history will remember his intervention positively.

In a statement signed by Dr. Kemi Babalola and Mustapha Ibrahim on behalf of the Alliance, the group announced plans to stage protests from July 21 to July 24, 2025, at the National Assembly, NNPCL headquarters, Ministry of Justice, US Embassy, and British High Commission in Abuja. They demand accountability and an immediate stop to the proposed sale of these critical national assets.

The refineries, with Port Harcourt and Kaduna over 80% complete and Warri at 60%, are close to operational status. However, the Alliance accused Mr. Ojulari of orchestrating their sabotage to justify selling them to cronies at undervalued prices.

“We call on you to intervene to stop the unlawful sale of our refineries, verify their near-complete status, hold the NNPCL accountable, and ensure our energy sector serves the people. By doing so, you will etch your name in history as Nigeria’s great emancipator,” the Alliance assured Tinubu.

“These refineries, built and rehabilitated with taxpayers’ money, are not scrap but vital to Nigeria’s energy security,” stated Dr. Babalola. “Ojulari’s actions, including shutting down the fully functional Port Harcourt refinery in May 2025 for supposed maintenance, are deliberate attempts to undermine their progress.”

The Alliance outlined several allegations against Ojulari, including unlawfully pushing to sell the refineries without legal authority, violating the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021 and Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which confers ownership of such assets to the Federation. They also accused him of mismanagement, favoritism in diverting crude oil to private refineries, and misleading President Bola Tinubu by claiming the facilities are irreparable.

“Ojulari’s leadership is a betrayal of public trust, risking elite capture of assets meant for all Nigerians,” Mustapha Ibrahim, a civil society advocate, said. The group cited the Port Harcourt refinery’s proven capacity to produce 1.4 million liters of gasoline daily before its abrupt shutdown as evidence of sabotage. “Why halt a refinery that was working only to label it irreparable?” Babalola questioned. “This is a calculated move to sell off assets nearing completion for personal gain.”

The Alliance invoked several legal frameworks to support their demands, including the requirements for transparent processes for asset disposal and the EFCC Act of 2004, which empowers investigations into financial crimes. They also referenced the Public Trust Doctrine and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, accusing Ojulari of breaching his fiduciary duty. “His unilateral actions are not only ultra vires but potentially criminal,” Ibrahim stated.

The group’s demands include an immediate suspension of any sale plans, an EFCC investigation into NNPCL’s leadership, and legislative oversight by the National Assembly to verify the refineries’ completion status.

They called for a travel ban on Ojulari from international bodies like the US Embassy and British High Commission, accusing him of undermining Nigeria’s interests. Additionally, they proposed a public forum to explore public-private partnerships, citing Brazil’s Petrobras as a model for refinery revitalization.

“From July 21 to 24, we will stand firm at these key locations, armed with the law and the will of the Nigerian people,” Babalola declared. “These refineries, so close to full operation, must not be sold off as scrap to enrich a few.”

The Alliance concluded by appealing to President Tinubu, praising his reformist vision. “Mr. President, your commitment to justice inspires us. By stopping this unlawful sale and ensuring the refineries serve the people, you will cement your legacy as Nigeria’s emancipator,” Ibrahim said. The group pledged to support Tinubu’s agenda while urging swift action to protect the nation’s energy sector.

As the protests unfold, the Alliance’s campaign is set to draw national attention to the fate of Nigeria’s refineries, highlighting the fight for transparency and accountability in the oil industry.

*Main Issues of Concern*

1. Unlawful Push to Sell National Assets: Proposing to sell the refineries without legal authority, in violation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 and Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution, despite significant progress in their rehabilitation.

2. Sabotage of Refinery Operations: Shutting down the Port Harcourt refinery, which was fully operational, for extended “maintenance” by May 2025, undermining its demonstrated capacity to refine 1.4 million liters of gasoline daily and halting progress on its second plant, which is 80% complete.

3. Malfeasance: Mismanaging our refineries, despite the Port Harcourt (80% complete), Warri (60% complete), and Kaduna (80% complete) refineries nearing operational status.

4. Favoritism in Crude Allocation: Diverting Nigeria’s crude oil to local refineries, starving state-owned facilities and crippling their operations to create a pretext for their sale.

5. Deception of the Presidency: Misrepresenting the refineries’ viability to President Bola Tinubu, falsely claiming they are irreparable to push for their disposal as scrap.

6. Disregard for Public Accountability: Failing to engage stakeholders, including host communities and civil society organizations, in transparent discussions about the refineries’ future, despite their significant rehabilitation progress.

*The Alliance made the following demand for immediate action:*

1. Halt the Sale: Suspend any plans to sell the refineries until legal and transparent processes are established, especially given their advanced rehabilitation stages (Port Harcourt at 80%, Warri at 60%, Kaduna at 80%).

2. EFCC Investigation: Expand the EFCC’s probe to include Ojulari and the NNPCL’s current leadership for financial mismanagement and crude allocation practices.

3. Legislative Oversight: The National Assembly must investigate the NNPCL’s actions, verify the completion status of the refineries, and amend the Commercialisation and Privatisation Act to clarify their status.

4. Travel Ban: The US Embassy, British High Commission and the European Union should as a matter of urgency place a travel ban on Ojulari and his cronies who do not wish Nigeria well but are out to deny Nigerians true dividends of democracy.

5. Stakeholder Engagement: Convene a public forum with CSOs, host communities, and oil producers to chart a path for refinery revitalization through public-private partnerships or concessions, as seen in models like Petrobas in Brazil.