Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed displeasure at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (NNPCL) approach to inviting him for a refinery tour.
The invitation, announced publicly, followed Obasanjo’s recent comments about past mismanagement of Nigeria’s refineries and failed privatization efforts during his tenure.
Obasanjo criticized the manner of the invitation, describing it as inappropriate and lacking formality.
His dissatisfaction stems from unresolved issues dating back to his presidency, where efforts to hand over refinery management to private entities were derailed.
Notably, a $750 million proposal from Aliko Dangote to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries was rejected by his successor, Musa Yar’Adua, based on assurances from NNPC that it could handle operations internally.
Despite substantial investments over the years—reportedly exceeding $2 billion—Obasanjo lamented the persistent dysfunctionality of the refineries.
Contrasting this, NNPCL maintained that rehabilitation efforts are yielding results, citing recent operational updates for the Port Harcourt and Warri plants.
Observers have criticized the public nature of the invitation, suggesting it undermines the dignity of a former head of state.
The former president, while speaking through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, stated that the oil company had not sent any formal invitation to him as of Thursday, January 2, 2024.
“Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country? Who says Baba has even seen the statement or read the news? It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president.
“Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery? It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response,” Obasanjo’s aide stated.
