Afenifere, CUPP React To Obasanjo’s Scathing Criticism Of NNPCL Invitation: ‘Respectful Politics Must Prevail

The Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have expressed support for former President Olusegun Obasanjo following his response to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) over its invitation to tour the Port Harcourt Refinery and assess its operational status.

This invitation came after Obasanjo’s recent interview with Channels Television, in which he cited advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) suggesting that the refinery may not operate efficiently. SPDC, which had been approached for equity participation in the refinery, raised concerns about corruption undermining its operations.

Obasanjo further accused NNPCL of misleading Nigerians about the refinery’s performance.

In a statement, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, highlighted the company’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

In response to the invitation, Obasanjo, through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, told Punch that the invitation was a sign of disrespect to both his person and his office, adding that he had not received any formal invitation from the oil company as of Thursday, January 2, 2024.

Sola Ebiseni, Secretary-General of Afenifere, criticized NNPCL for extending the invitation through newspaper publications after Obasanjo had rightly pointed out the management flaws that have plagued Nigeria’s refineries for years.