‘We offer cheaper fuel despite importing 60% of crude’
Recent attacks against Dangote Petroleum Refinery from some associations in the oil and gas industry were orchestrated to derail the planned free fuel distribution logistics initiative, the management of Dangote Refinery said last night.

It however foreclosed backtracking on the initiative, adding that the attacks lack genuine and patriotic concerns.

In a statement last night, the Refinery said the position of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) lacks legitimacy and has nothing to do unionisation as being claimed.

“Their position”, according to the statement , “have made it abundantly clear that the actions and threats issued by them is not borne out of legitimate concerns about unionisation, but a calculated campaign of economic sabotage that is orchestrated by vested interests who perceive progress as a threat to their entrenched positions.”

Reacting to a press statement by DAPPMAN, which was published, in some newspapers at the weekend, Dangote Refinery accused the association of misleading Nigerians, noting that their claims were contradicted by established facts.

The statement by Dangote Refinery reads: “In January 2022, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) reported that one of DAPPMAN’s members had supplied petrol containing over 15% methanol, well above acceptable limits (Methanol which is not a standard industry practice or procedure for refinery, but blenders use it to prompt up the octane rating to an acceptable level that is well above anti-knocking ratio).

“The result was widespread engine damage for thousands of end users. Yet, no transparent government inquiry or independent investigation was ever conducted to determine the source, intent, or full impact of the adulterated fuel.”

The refinery also described as incorrect, the claim that the price of petrol in Togo is lower than in Nigeria. It revealed that the average pump price in Lomé stands at approximately 680 CFA francs per litre, equivalent to N1, 826.

“This figure reflects the very scenario that DAPPMAN and its affiliates appear to advocate for in Nigeria. The Dangote Refinery has positioned Nigeria as a primary source of affordable petrol feedstock for West Africa, despite the refinery importing over 60% of the crude oil it processes. Remarkably, the refinery is able to offer petrol at prices below the international benchmark within the sub-Saharan region.

• We await directives of govt — Kingmakers

• Adeleke’s intervention will douse tension — Ruling house

The dethronement of Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, who was recently jailed in the United States of America (USA) by District Judge Christopher Boyko over $4.2 million in COVID-19 fraud, is imminent as Governor Ademola Adeleke described the development as ‘ugly’.

Oba Oloyede, who was arrested in May 2024 was later jailed alongside Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi in August 2025, causing ripples in his community, Ipetumodu, the headquarters of Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State.

It will be recalled that there was a crisis in the town during the week as princes, chiefs, and kingmakers clashed at a meeting over a call to dethrone Oba Oloyede after he was sentenced to prison in the US.

The kingmakers led by Asalu, Chief Sunday Afolabi Adedeji opposed the call arguing that the state government was yet to obtain a Certified True Copy(CTC) or give any directives.

However, Governor Adeleke after State Executive Council meeting held on Friday night where he reviewed policies and happenings in the state, frowned at the development in Ipetumodu.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi read in part: “He (Adeleke) further instructed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to take action on the ugly development at Ipetumodu where the King was recently jailed in the United States of America.”

Reacting to the development, an heir to the throne, Prince Olaboye Ayoola from the Aribile Ruling House commended Governor Adeleke for his directive noting that it will douse the existing tension in the town.

He said: “Since the embattled monarch was jailed, there is tension in our community, but the directive of the Governor will ease it now. The kingmakers who were opposing his dethronement will heed to the directive now.”

He urged the governor to ensure that Aribile ruling house replaces Oloyede and not move to Fagbemokun because the embattled king did not die but was jailed.

Contacted, Chief Adedeji said: “We can’t do anything outside the directive of the Commissioner, we will be waiting for his directive.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visit France President (yesterday

The two nations struck the deal during a “production lunch” at Élysée Palace by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Emmanuel Macron.

President Tinubu, who is on a 10-day working vacation in Europe made this agreement known through his verified X Handle @officialABAT.

He wrote: “Had a productive lunch with President Emmanuel Macron today(yesterday) at the Élysée Palace. We reviewed key areas of cooperation between Nigeria and France and agreed to deepen our partnership for mutual prosperity and global stability.”

The meeting underscores Tinubu’s continued diplomatic outreach during his time away from Abuja, with an emphasis on consolidating Nigeria’s strategic partnerships with France, one of its longstanding allies in trade, security, and development.

The Élysée Palace meeting adds to a growing record of high-level engagements between the two countries, which have in recent years broadened cooperation in energy, counterterrorism, climate action and investment promotion.