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NNPC Ltd Refutes Claims of Sole Offtaker Status, Clarifies Domestic Market is Open to Competition

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has responded to a statement issued by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), which claimed that the company’s actions are undermining the Dangote Refinery Limited (DRL) and monopolizing the domestic petroleum market. Specifically, MURIC asserted that NNPC Ltd has become the sole offtaker of products from the Dangote Refinery and that this would prevent the refinery from offering lower fuel prices to the Nigerian market.

In a detailed rebuttal, NNPC Ltd has categorically denied these allegations, clarifying that the company is not the exclusive buyer of products from the Dangote Refinery or any other domestic refinery. The company emphasized that the Nigerian petroleum market operates under a deregulated, competitive framework where market forces determine pricing.

NNPC Ltd stated that the pricing of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other petroleum products from refineries, including the Dangote Refinery, is influenced by global market forces, not by the actions of the NNPC. The recent fluctuations in the pump price of PMS, the statement clarified, are a result of these global dynamics. According to NNPC Ltd, these changes in PMS prices do not hinder the Dangote Refinery or any other domestic refinery from offering lower prices.

If current prices are perceived as high, it presents an ideal opportunity for domestic refineries like the DRL to step in and offer lower-priced alternatives to the Nigerian market,” the NNPC statement read.

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NNPC Ltd further reiterated its commitment to a free market environment, highlighting that any domestic refinery, including DRL, is free to sell its products directly to marketers on a “willing buyer, willing seller” basis. In such a deregulated system, no single entity, including the NNPC, can control the entire market.

“NNPC Ltd has no intention or desire to become the sole distributor for any refinery in a competitive market. The notion of NNPC being the sole offtaker does not arise, as refineries can sell to any marketer,” said Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd.

The statement also addressed concerns regarding lower pricing associated with domestic refining. NNPC Ltd explained that there is no automatic guarantee that domestic refining would result in lower prices for consumers. Global parity pricing still applies, and only if market prices outside Nigeria are higher would NNPC Ltd consider fully offtaking PMS from the Dangote Refinery.

NNPC Ltd also pointed out its significant financial stake in the Dangote Refinery, stating, “The NNPC Ltd cannot undermine a business in which it holds a multi-billion-dollar stake.”

In its closing remarks, NNPC Ltd expressed disappointment over MURIC’s claims, suggesting that the advocacy group should have conducted thorough research before making public statements. “As an advocacy group for fair and just treatment, MURIC should have verified the facts before making statements that are entirely flawed and have the potential to incite ordinary Nigerians against NNPC Ltd,” Soneye said.

NNPC Ltd continues to emphasize its commitment to maintaining transparency and fostering a competitive, deregulated petroleum market that benefits all Nigerians.

 

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Governor Yusuf Approves 200 Riyals Support, Ihram for Each Kano Pilgrim

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a cash support of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each intending pilgrim from the state for the 2026 hajj exercise.

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, disclosed this on Sunday during the launch of the practical demonstration session organised by the Kano State pilgrims Welfare Board for prospective pilgrims in Kano.

 

Speaking at the event, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo explained that the exercise was organized to educate, inform, spiritually prepare the intending pilgrims for the Hajj rites from Ihram to Tawaf, from Sa’i to Arafat, from Muzdalifah to Mina and the symbolic stoning of the Jamarat.

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He stated that the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to the welfare and well-being of all the pilgrims from the state.

 

Garo said, “This demonstration is a vital aspect of Hajj preparation. Hajj is not merely a journey of travel; it is a sacred act of worship that requires adequate knowledge, discipline, patience and sincere devotion to Allah.”

 

Garo further conveyed the Governor’s goodwill gesture to the pilgrims.

 

He added, “I also wish to give the good tidings to our pilgrims that the Kano State Government has approved the sum of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each and every intending pilgrim as a compliment from His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

 

The Deputy Governor also revealed that the administration has secured conducive accommodation arrangements to ensure the comfort and convenience of the pilgrims throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.

 

According to him, the state government has equally deployed well-trained medical personnel to complement healthcare services provided by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), saying qualified Islamic scholars have also been selected to provide spiritual guidance during the exercise.

 

He urged the intending pilgrims to be worthy ambassadors of Kano State and Nigeria by obeying the laws of Saudi Arabia and conducting themselves with discipline, humility, and responsibility throughout the pilgrimage.

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6 Kano Central Senatorial Aspirants Withdraw for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau

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Six Kano Central senatorial aspirants have withdrawn for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau in the forthcoming 2027 general election.

One of the senatorial aspirants and a former Kano State Head of Service, Alhaji Usman Bala Muhammad, stated this while addressing journalists at Aminu Kano House in Abuja.

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Those that Withdraw for Malam Ibrahim Shekarau are Dr Muhammad Zango,Alhaji Danyaro Yakasai,Usman Bala Muhammad ,Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada and Shehu Isah Direba.

 

The aspirants have already purchased their nominations forms and submitted to APC secretariat before they were called for a consensus by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

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Obi Thunders at NDC Convention: ‘Rethink Now, Tyrants! Nigerians Will Reclaim Power in 2027!

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

 

The presidential hopeful of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, vowed today at the party’s national convention in Abuja to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with the support of Nigerians.

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In his words: “To the beneficiaries of democracy who have now turned themselves into agents of destruction, depriving Nigerians of the democracy they enjoy—who think we will not have a free and fair election in 2027—let them rethink now, because we are going to have a free, fair, and credible election.”

 

The party’s convention today officially unveiled the NDC as the country’s second most vibrant opposition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

With both Mr. Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in the NDC, and Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen in the ADC, the political atmosphere is set for a power play in 2027.

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