•Bode George and Tinubu
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has urged the Tinubu-led federal government to tell Nigerians the true position of things in the oil sector.
George noted that the government should let Nigerians know if it’s still subsidising petroleum products or not, lamenting that there’s a confusing report about the position of things in the oil sector, reports Daily Independent.
The Atona Oodua of Yourubaland, made the remark at a press briefing in his office in Lagos today, stressing that government should also come out clean on the claim by Aliko Dangote that, he paid $100 million to Lagos State government to acquire the land, where he built his refinery at Lekki.
“The public is interested in knowing those who benefited from the money,” George stated.
According to the PDP chieftain, the clarification is necessary because Dangote claimed he paid the Lagos State Government for the land and the land owners in Lekki are bitter about taking over their land unjustly.
Speaking further, George condemned the decision of the federal government to sell crude oil to Dangote refinery in Naira, pointing out that the move will lead to killing the economy.
He said, “Crude oil is the only major means of income which generates foreign currency to the federal government, which is used to build external reserves. The reserve has been depleted of recent,”
While faulting the position of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari not to speak to Nigerians, he said, “The statement made recently by the Group Managing Director of NNPCL that he would talk at the appropriate time is also very disturbing.”
“In the oil sector, you hear there’s a subsidy today. Tomorrow you’ll hear there’s no subsidy. We want to know, Nigerians are not properly briefed as to what is happening in that sector.
“Subsidy, no subsidy, which one should we believe, where is the truth?
“Aliko Dangote said he gave $100 million to buy all that land in Lekki, which of my people in Lekki has benefited from that money, or the government just grabbed the money and those people are thrown out of the environment, is it right?
“What I think went on last week is just a tip of the iceberg, the truth will come out one day.
“My perception of the oil sector of our country is very disappointing, who is the minister of petroleum? Who is the chairman of NNPCL?
“Kyari made a statement on Wednesday that is very worrisome. He said at the right time he would talk. Which is the right time? Rome is burning, the Emperor is sleeping, which other right time will he talk?
“As an elder statesman, I can’t just keep quiet. We have the Gen Z generation, they’re restless, and what is happening in the North is a reflection of the restlessness of the youths.”
According to George, failure of the government to brief the populace about her policies is responsible for the protests currently going on in the country.
“Those who went round to protest did so out of frustration, because they don’t get feedback from the government, because it’s their constitutional right for government officials to always give them feedback on what is going on, because they elected the people into power,” Atona Oodua added.
