Former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has alleged that individuals attempting to sabotage the Dangote Refinery are based in Abuja.
This claim follows media reports that the refinery has been facing difficulties in securing crude oil within the country and has had to resort to importing from countries like the United States.
Speaking at the maiden edition of Prof Emeka Umerah’s public lecture in Abuja, themed “Nigeria Yesterday, Today and a Prosperous Future,” Oshiomhole criticized those who lament the fuel hike while importing low-quality diesel into the country.
Oshiomhole stressed that it should not surprise anyone that many of those undermining the country’s interests are Nigerians residing in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
“It is the product of his work that Dangote Refinery now located in Lagos can satisfy the Nigerian market. Yet, some Nigerians who joined us in lamenting (the fuel hike) are the ones importing low-quality diesel prohibited in Europe,” Oshiomhole said. “They are bringing in diesel that will pollute our environment, destroy our engines, and use our scarce foreign exchange to pay for it. Meanwhile, Dangote Refinery in Lagos is in a position to produce diesel and even announced a reduction of the price.”
He further accused these individuals of prioritizing their personal gains over national interest. “These Nigerians who put themselves first before the country are not interested. They live here in Abuja, unknown to ballot and not scrutinized by the Nigerian electorates. Their names don’t appear in any newspaper. You (Nigerians) will abuse the president, yet he has no knowledge about what is going on because he has saddled people with the responsibility. And when you ask them, they will say ‘Look at the PIB Act.'”
