Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over what he termed a disrespectful open invitation to tour the newly revamped Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries.
The invitation came after Obasanjo accused NNPCL of rejecting Aliko Dangote’s $750 million offer to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries, despite the corporation’s challenges in managing the facilities.
Obasanjo’s spokesperson, Kehinde Akinyemi, expressed the former president’s displeasure, emphasizing that the manner of the invitation lacked the decorum expected when addressing a former president.
“Absolute Insult”
Reacting to the invitation, Obasanjo remarked that the open approach taken by NNPCL showed a lack of respect.
“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,” Akinyemi stated.
He further revealed that as of January 2, no formal communication or letter had been sent to Obasanjo by the NNPCL.
“It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response,” Akinyemi added.
The controversy began when Obasanjo faulted NNPCL’s decision to reject Dangote’s offer, suggesting it missed an opportunity for better management of the refineries. Following this, NNPCL extended a public invitation to Obasanjo to inspect the revamped facilities.
The corporation has yet to issue an official response to Obasanjo’s latest remarks.
NNPCL spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, had not commented on the matter at the time of filing this report.
