Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called out the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government over the persistent fuel scarcity and conflicting reports on subsidy payments.
In a statement on social media, Obi, the Labour Party’s flagbearer in the 2023 election, demanded transparency in the operations of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), particularly in its financial dealings and plans for the future.
He expressed shock that the NNPCL, which declared a N3 trillion profit in 2023, is now claiming “financial constraints” in supplying fuel, leading to widespread scarcity and hardship.
Obi attributed the fuel crisis to the government’s ineptitude, citing the struggles of the $20 billion Dangote Refinery and other modular refineries to secure crude oil supply, as well as the NNPCL’s search for outside operators for its refineries.
He insisted that the Petroleum Industry Act mandates an open and transparent NNPCL, and called on the government to come clean on the issues and take responsibility for the mess.
Obi’s statement reads: “Nigerians must stop at nothing in demanding for transparency in the operations of government especially critical agencies like the state-owned NNPCL whose activities appear to be shrouded in secrecy. The conflicting reports on subsidy payments have left Nigerians in the dark, unsure of what is happening in this all-important company. It is very curious that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) which declared a N3 trillion profit in 2023, is coming up with a bizarre claim of “financial constraints” in supplying fuel.
“The fuel scarcity crisis, characterized by endless queues, and untold hardship, is a direct result of the government’s ineptitude. The $20 billion Dangote Refinery and other Modular Refineries’ struggles to secure crude oil supply and NNPCL’s search for outside operators for its refineries are further proof of this administration’s gross incompetence. We demand a better level of transparency in NNPCL’s operations, financial dealings, and plans for the future. The Petroleum Industry Act mandates an open and transparent NNPCL, we should not stand idly by while this government violates our laws. We demand that this administration come clean on these issues and take responsibility for the mess it has created.
“We should not rest until we uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. The Nigerian people deserve better.”