Refineries: Tinubu Must Stop Blaming His Predecessors, Says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged Nigeria's current president, Bola Tinubu, to stop blaming his predecessors for the poor performance of the country's refineries. Atiku argues that Tinubu's administration is responsible for the refineries' financial woes, as they saw their combined obligations soar from N4.52 trillion in 2023 to N8.67 trillion by the end of 2024.

Atiku points out that when the refineries were shown to be operating at a significant loss during the November 2024 celebration, the same administration claimed they were inherited from previous governments. However, the NNPC has now admitted that the refineries are operating at a "monumental loss," meaning that the government is simply wasting money.

Atiku asks Nigerians what they received in return for the N4 trillion spent on refineries in 2024, specifically highlighting the absence of any tangible benefits like improved petrol prices or increased refining capacity. He also questions where the public resources went and why the government spends trillions without delivering results.

The former vice president argues that this situation is not just incompetence but a failure of leadership, as the government is effectively tying up valuable resources in facilities that are failing. Atiku emphasizes that Nigeria cannot afford another four years of such poor stewardship and calls on Tinubu to stop blaming his predecessors and instead take responsibility for the failing refineries.