By John Moses
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), a political think-tank backing President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has dismissed as false recent claims suggesting that the Federal Government intends to sell Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for allegedly misrepresenting comments made by the head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bashir Ojulari.
According to the group, Ojulari’s comments during a recent interview on the sidelines of the Ninth OPEC International Seminar in Vienna were taken out of context.
“For clarity, what the NNPCL’s Group CEO stated was that the company is currently conducting a comprehensive review of its refinery rehabilitation strategy. He only noted that ‘a sale remains a possibility’ and that all options are on the table,” TMSG explained.
The group described the ADC’s interpretation as “a deliberate distortion” aimed at discrediting President Tinubu’s administration.
TMSG further addressed allegations that the Tinubu-led government planned to sell the refineries after spending $2.8 billion on their revamp. It argued that the funds in question were approved in 2021, under the previous administration—two years before Tinubu assumed office.
“It is also on record that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is already investigating past NNPCL officials over funds allocated for refinery rehabilitation,” the group said.
TMSG urged the opposition to focus on honest engagement, warning that half-truths, if weaponised, could mislead the public and undermine accountability efforts.
“We are not opposed to a full audit of the rehabilitation projects dating back to the Obasanjo era,” the statement added, “but Nigerians must not be manipulated by political actors misusing facts.”
