...Where Were The Stomach Infrastructure Youths led by Jonathan Lokpobiri when Mele Kyari embezzled billions meant for refinery repairs?

In a dramatic turn of events, a group of youths known as "stomach infrastructure" youths in the Niger Delta protested at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) office in Abuja on August 27, 2025. The demonstration, led by Jonathan Lokpobiri, brother of Petroleum Minister Heineken Lokpobiri, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the motives behind the unrest.

Ebimene Tokowei, spokesperson for the Niger Delta People Mandate, has come forward with explosive allegations regarding the protest's origins. According to Tokowei, the demonstration was not a grassroots movement but a carefully orchestrated event sponsored by Mathew Tonlagha and Tompolo, with the tacit approval of Minister Heineken Lokpobiri.

The protesters, carrying placards demanding the removal of NNPCL's new Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr. Bayo Ojulalari, claim to be fighting corruption. However, Tokowei argues that their sudden concern for transparency is suspiciously timed and selective.

"Where were these youths when Mele Kyari, the former GMD, was allegedly embezzling billions of dollars meant for refinery repairs?" Tokowei asked pointedly. He went on to question why Jonathan Lokpobiri, who reportedly worked closely with Kyari, remained silent during that period.

The heart of the matter, according to Tokowei, lies in Mr. Bayo's refusal to cooperate with Tonlagha and Tompolo's alleged illegal dealings within NNPCL. The new GMD's efforts to correct what Tokowei calls "abnormalities in the system" have apparently ruffled feathers among those who previously benefited from lax oversight.

Tokowei didn't pull any punches in his criticism of the protesters, particularly Jonathan Lokpobiri. "These youths should bury their heads in shame," he stated, accusing them of being pawns in a larger game orchestrated by disgruntled power brokers.

The spokesperson also made serious allegations against Tompolo, claiming involvement in kidnappings and forced labor in the Niger Delta region. These accusations add another layer of complexity to an already tangled web of political and economic interests.

According to Tokowei, the real issue at hand is the government's recent moves to close loopholes that allowed for the alleged misappropriation of national resources. He claims that the splitting of surveillance contracts among multiple stakeholders has threatened the interests of those who previously monopolized these lucrative deals.

In a surprising twist, Tokowei suggested that Mr. Bayo's current troubles stem from his refusal to align with certain persons, stating, "If Mr. Bayo had listened to those who brought him by not having anything to do with Mathew Tonlagha and Tompolo, who are criminals, he would not be facing this challenge."

The Niger Delta People Mandate is now calling on President Tinubu to recognize this protest as an indirect attack on his administration. They urge a thorough investigation into the activities of Tonlagha, Tompolo, and their company, Tantita and Maton.

As this story continues to unfold, it highlights the complex interplay of politics, business, and regional interests in Nigeria's crucial oil sector. The coming days are likely to bring further developments in this high-stakes drama at the heart of the nation's economy.