Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant to Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Public Communication, has sharply criticized the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for its contradictory statements regarding a $6.8 billion debt. This controversy has further fueled concerns about the NNPCL’s transparency and the current administration’s handling of public communication.
In a strongly worded statement, Shaibu highlighted the inconsistency in NNPCL’s messaging. He pointed out that the company initially denied owing any debt to suppliers, only to later admit to the $6.8 billion obligation. Shaibu mocked the NNPCL, labeling them “masters of contradiction” for issuing two conflicting statements within the span of a week.
“First, they vehemently denied owing suppliers a dime—$6.8 billion, to be precise. And then, almost as if by magic, they turned around yesterday and confessed to the very debt they had so confidently dismissed,” Shaibu remarked.
He extended his criticism beyond the NNPCL, suggesting that this inconsistency reflects a broader issue within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. Shaibu metaphorically stated, “When the head of the fish begins to rot, the whole body follows suit,” implying that the problems within the NNPCL may be symptomatic of deeper issues in the government.
This latest incident has cast further doubt on the NNPCL’s credibility and has raised serious questions about the transparency and reliability of public communication under the current administration.