Obasanjo criticizes NNPC’s invitation to visit refineries, calls it disrespectful

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) for what he described as a disrespectful and inappropriate invitation to visit the country’s refineries. The invitation, which came through a press release from NNPCL’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, was issued following Obasanjo’s critical remarks about the state of Nigeria’s oil refineries. The former president has long decried the mismanagement and inefficiencies of the nation’s refining sector, which has continued to underperform despite billions of dollars in investments.

In a statement released through his spokesperson, Obasanjo expressed his frustration over the handling of the country’s refineries, particularly after years of failed attempts at reform. He pointed to the rejection of a $750 million offer from Aliko Dangote to manage the refineries, an offer which could have been a turning point for the country’s oil industry. Obasanjo claimed that his successor, Musa Yar’Adua, opted for the NNPCL to manage the refineries, despite the corporation’s acknowledged inability to run them effectively. This, he argued, has led to the squandering of over $2 billion, with no significant progress on refining capacity.

NNPCL defended its actions, with Soneye emphasizing that the refineries had undergone extensive turnaround maintenance, including a complete overhaul to meet world-class standards. In a bid to resolve the ongoing controversy, Soneye extended an open invitation for Obasanjo to visit the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries, insisting that progress had been made under the new management. However, Obasanjo dismissed this public invitation as an attempt to undermine his position, asserting that it showed a lack of respect for his office and position as a former head of state.

The public spat has drawn significant criticism from both political and civil groups. The Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, condemned the NNPCL for what it called “disrespectful politics” and urged the corporation to engage Obasanjo in a more dignified manner. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) also joined in the rebuke, stating that inviting a former president through the media was a public affront to his reputation and service to the nation. Critics argue that the ongoing issues with Nigeria’s refineries are a result of political mismanagement and that a more transparent approach, potentially involving private sector partnerships, is needed to revive the country’s oil infrastructure.

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