Politics
Prof Iledare Tells Tinubu to Fix Refineries Instead of Rushing to Sell Them
Professor Wumi Iledare, a respected expert in petroleum economics, has cautioned against rushing to sell Nigeria’s state-owned refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. He advised President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to adopt a more strategic and transparent approach that puts national interest first.
His warning follows comments by NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, who recently hinted in an interview that the refineries may be sold after their ongoing reviews. Responding to that, Iledare argued that the major issue isn’t government ownership but poor efficiency and management.
“Selling them off without addressing deeper governance failures could lead to the same problems we’ve seen in the past and also risk our energy security,” he said. He recommended public-private partnerships and performance-based agreements as better alternatives, aligning with the spirit of the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021. He also warned that privatisation shouldn’t become a tool for monopoly or be controlled by a privileged few.
According to him, the focus should be on unlocking value and reviving the downstream oil sector in a sustainable way. This comes after NNPCL shut down the Port Harcourt Refinery in May 2025 for maintenance. Despite large sums spent on reviving the Warri and Kaduna plants, both remain inactive. Meanwhile, Aliko Dangote recently stated that those refineries may never function again.
It was reported and revealed by the National Coordinator of the Obi Movement that an attack occurred at the movement against Peter Obi in Edo State.
He stated that the armed people had guns and shot at Peter Obi and his members of the movement.
“At the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the outcome of the 2027 general elections will be based on the performance of candidates, not defections.
The party stressed that defections alone do not win elections, noting that credibility, leadership, and results matter more. This was said in response to comments credited to former governor Rauf Aregbesola.
The APC also dismissed claims that the opposition’s performance in Lagos weakened the party, pointing out that voters later reaffirmed their support by re-electing the APC in the governorship election and subsequent polls.
Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has spoken on the allegation that terrorism and the increase in insecurity are linked to his administration in the state.
The governor then said “This is a country where when you work, you become a villain. I have kept quiet for too long for peace and security. But I am not a coward. I will not join them. I refuse to join their party,” he stated.
“We have built our health system, primary education, and reduced out-of-school children. We have been awarded three times by the federal government for development and good governance. And they are accusing us? What kind of paradox is this?”
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