Nigerian senator and public commentator, Shehu Sani, has weighed in on the ongoing fuel price dispute between the Dangote Refinery and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), describing it as a mere ‘skit.’
This comes after the presidency confirmed that the Federal Government (FG) will not intervene in the ongoing pricing controversy between the two entities.
In a tweet from his verified account, Sani stated, “Now that the FG will not intervene in the price war between Dangote and the NNPCL shows that ‘the war’ is a skit.” His statement underscores skepticism regarding the nature of the dispute, implying that it might be orchestrated for show, rather than being a genuine conflict between two major players in Nigeria’s energy sector.
The controversy between the Dangote Refinery, a private company, and the NNPCL, a limited liability company, stems from competition in the pricing of petroleum products in the newly deregulated market. The Federal Government had earlier made it clear that it would not mediate between the two companies, stating that both are independent entities operating in a competitive market.
Sani’s comment has sparked reactions, with some interpreting it as a critique of the Nigerian government’s hands-off approach. Others see it as a reflection of public distrust towards large corporations and their influence on Nigeria’s fuel pricing.
The presidency, through its spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, emphasized that the government’s focus is on promoting alternative energy sources like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to reduce fuel dependency.