First Nigerian to serve as both military and Civilian Head of State, Olusegun Obasanjo, has berated the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, over its acclaimed recent invitation to him tour the Port Harcourt Refinery and verify its current operational status.
Speaking through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, in an interview with Punch, Obasanjo described the said invitation as a total disrespect to his person and office.
According to the former President, the oil company had not sent any formal invitation to him as of Thursday, January 2, 2024.
“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.
“Ask the NNPCL that as of January 2, have they written to him? Is there any official letter addressed to him, inviting him to the refinery? It is an absolute insult, and the former president cannot dignify such with a response”, he roared.
The invitation follows Obasanjo’s recent interview with Channels Television, where he referenced advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) indicating that the refinery might not function efficiently as result of concerns raised about corruption affecting its operations.
The former president also accused NNPCL of allegedly misleading Nigerians about the refinery’s performance.
Reacting to the statement, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, reiterated the company’s dedication to transparency and accountability and extended an invitation to Obasanjo to witness the progress made at the refinery since its rehabilitation, highlighting the organization’s transformation efforts.
