Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has hinted at an ongoing effort to sabotage the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) in rehabilitating the Port Harcourt Refinery.
Accusing a refinery owner who “created a monopoly in Cement, Spaghetti, and Sugar” of sponsoring media attacks, Fani-Kayode suggested in a veiled reference on X (formerly Twitter) that private sector players new to the oil industry are attempting to undermine the government’s refinery project.
He described the refinery’s rehabilitation as a monumental success for the nation, crediting President Tinubu and NNPC’s Managing Director, Mele Kyari, for the achievement.
In a sharp critique, Fani-Kayode stated, “no matter how hard you (Dangote) try, you cannot muscle your way and create a monopoly on the sale of refined products as you did for other commodities.”
Calling for national unity, he urged Nigerians to support both NNPC refineries and private players to promote competition and national progress.
In his words: “The resurrection of the Port Harcourt refinery is one of the most encouraging things that has happened in the petroleum sector for many years and the credit for this must go to the President and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC Ltd.
“It is a pity that some elements in the private sector, who are new in the field, are doing all they can to undermine and understate this great victory for Nigeria.
“The oil business is not the same as selling sugar, spaghetti, cement, or rice.
“NNPC will go from strength to strength, and once its other refineries are working as well, Nigerians will have cause to smile again. Let the new kid on the block flourish, but let the NNPC refineries flourish, too. That should be our goal and not a squalid attempt to discredit NNPC and its leadership.
“Every optimistic and true lover of Nigeria’s progress and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda must be proud of the GMD Mele Kyari. His tenacity, bravery, ingenuity, and forthrightness have been rewarded with this great feat. Surely, this is hope renewed for Nigerians.”
Post by Fani-Kayode on X
Post by Fani-Kayode on X showing reactions from other Nigerians
Full statement by FFK on X
The resurrection of the PH refinery is one of the most encouraging things that has happened in the petroleum sector for many years and the credit for this must go to the the President and the GMD of NNPC.
It is a pity that some elements in the private sector who are new in the field are doing all they can to undermine and understate this great victory for Nigeria. The oil business is not the same as selling sugar, spaghetti, cement or rice and no matter how hard you try you cannot muscle your way and create a monopoly on the sale of refined products as you did for other commodities over the years.
NNPC will go from strength to strength and once its other refineries are working as well Nigerians will have cause to smile again. Let the new kid on the block flourish but let the NNPC refineries flourish too. That should be our goal and not a squalid attempt to discredit NNPC and its leadership. Every optimistic and true lover of Nigeria’s progress and President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda must be proud of the GMD Mele Kyari. His tenacity, bravery, ingenuity and forthrightness has been rewarded with this great feat. Surely this is hope renewed for Nigerians.
(FFK)
