By Milcah Tanimu
The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has accused billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote of attempting to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. In a press conference in Abuja, Speaker Mohammed Salihu Danlami expressed concerns over Dangote’s actions, suggesting they could negatively impact the current government’s policies.
Danlami claimed Dangote is trying to influence the pricing and regulatory processes within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as part of a broader scheme to disrupt the administration’s goals. Specifically, Dangote is accused of manipulating the market by dictating terms for the purchase of Bonny Light crude oil and pressuring regulatory bodies like the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to comply with his demands.
The Arewa group criticized Dangote for allegedly blocking other companies from obtaining import licenses and attempting to discredit the NMDPRA by accusing it of licensing substandard products. They argue these actions are not merely business strategies but part of a larger effort to disrupt the government’s Renewed Hope agenda.
Danlami voiced concerns that Dangote’s actions might be aimed at creating chaos within the administration. He highlighted Dangote’s attempts to force regulatory bodies to bend rules in his favor and damage their reputations as indicative of a deliberate strategy to undermine the government.
The AYA called on Dangote to comply with industry regulations, warning that failure to do so could lead to legal consequences. They also urged the National Assembly to make public the results of laboratory tests on products from Dangote’s refinery to ensure transparency and maintain public trust.
Danlami concluded by demanding that Dangote cease his attempts to manipulate the system for personal gain and instead support the government’s efforts to foster a transparent and effective regulatory environment.
