Obasanjo responds to NNPCL, says Invitation to tour refineries ‘Disrespectful’

January 04, 2025

By Adedoja Adesoji

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for inviting him to tour the refineries in Warri and Port-Harcourt without sending an official letter.

Obasanjo’s media aide, Kehinde Adeyemi, described the invitation as “a total disrespect for the office of the Former President”

The controversy began when Obasanjo questioned the functionality of the refineries, stating that despite spending over $2 billion, they still don’t work.

He also noted that the NNPCL turned down a $750 million offer from the Dangote group to manage the refineries.

In response, the NNPCL extended an “open invitation” to Obasanjo to tour the rehabilitated refineries, which Obasanjo’s aide deemed an “absolute insult”

The NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, had said, “We extend an open invitation to President Obasanjo for a tour of the rehabilitated refineries to witness firsthand the progress made under the new NNPC Limited”

Obasanjo’s aide responded, “Is that the right way to invite a former president of the country?… It is a total disrespect for the office of the former president”