'Layers of Deceit': Atiku Slams NNPCL Over $6 Billion Debt Admission

• The NNPCL finally admitted the company’s “significant debt to petrol suppliers”, saying it poses a threat to the sustainability of fuel supply
• Nigerians have not had it so good in 2024, as fuel queues have dotted filling stations across the country
• Atiku Abubakar alleged that the NNPCL was not transparent about the financial gains from fuel subsidy removal

Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering politics and governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for its alleged lack of transparency.

Legit.ng reports that this follows the NNPCL's admission of a $6 billion debt to petrol suppliers amid the lingering fuel scarcity problem.

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This admission, made public on Sunday, September 1, has intensified the fuel scarcity that has plagued the nation for six weeks.

Olufemi Soneye, the spokesperson of the NNPCL, confirmed the debt, highlighting the severe financial strain it has imposed on the company's operations.

Meanwhile, Soneye assured that NNPCL was working with government agencies to ensure a consistent supply of petroleum products nationwide.

Reacting to the NNPCL's admission, Atiku expressed deep concern over the situation through Phrank Shaibu, his media aide.

Atiku's statement partly reads:

"What has becompaertle of these fictitious or phantom profits you once proudly proclaimed? Layers of deceit and lack of transparency have brought you to this unfortunate juncture."

Furthermore, the former vice president accused the Bola Tinubu administration of driving the NNPCL to ruin.

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Atiku reacts as NNPCL announces plan to hand over Warri, Kaduna refineries to private operators

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• Atiku reacts as NNPCL announces plan to hand over Warri, Kaduna refineries to private operators

Atiku’s camp reacts as minister calls Tinubu “daddy”

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that AbdulRasheed Shehu, Atiku's special assistant on broadcast media, accused Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, the minister of defence, of "sycophancy".

In a video shared by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Badaru, 61, could be seen shaking hands with Tinubu, 72, and heard saying, "welcome daddy". Reacting to the moment, Shehu mocked the minister.

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng