Presidency Punctures Atiku’s Claims On NNPC’s $3.3bn Crude Oil Loan
The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has responded to questions raised by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar concerning the $ 3.3 billion crude oil pre-payment loan facilitated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Atiku who was the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the February 25, 2023 Presidential election had said President Bola Tinubu-led administration “owes Nigerians an explanation for the NNPC $3.3bn emergency loan.”
He further maintained, “In what appears to be a landmark economic decision of the Bola Tinubu-led administration, the Federal Government last year, precisely on August 16, 2023 through the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) secured a $3.3 billion emergency crude repayment loan, which according to the NNPC, was to help give support to the Naira and stabilize the Foreign Exchange market.
“The curious thing about this transaction is that up till now, the Federal Government continues to keep mum about it, and the only information available to the public on the mega deal is coming only through unofficial sources from the NNPC..”.
He made these assertions via his X {formerly Twitter} handle on Thursday. January 25, 2024.
The presidency through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, Otega Ogra, swiftly responded and educated Atiku Abubakar thus,
“Dear VP @atiku (1999 – 2007),
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has taken the time to educate all Nigerians further on the loan at various times – the latest being four days ago.
Here is a tweet from the Presidency’s Official Handle – x.com/ngrpresident/s…
We also enjoin you, sir, to please share your thoughts on the medium post, which is more comprehensive, here: https://theasovilla.medium.com/you-asked-we-explain-what-you-need-to-know-about-nnpcs-us-3-3bn-loan-project-gazelle-a0187c42afe4
Thank you, Your Excellency.”
