NNPC: Obasanjo distances self from suspension of Ararume board inauguration

…Says Ararume is competent enough…

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disassociated himself from the news making rounds in the Social Media that he influenced President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the inauguration of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Board.

Buhari and Obasanjo 

That Obadanjo on account of his past misunderstanding with Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Chairman of the board, asked Buhari to step down his name.

Obasanjo has however dismissed the information as unfounded peddled by those he described as “political busybodies” whose desperation has lured into using his name to raise issues against the appointment of Ararume.

The former president who spoke through his Lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, condemned the story in very strong terms as false, stating that Obasanjo was preoccupied presently with efforts to better the lots of Nigerians locally, internationally and economically and therefore had no time for frivolities.

At the suspension of the Inauguration last week, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha had explained that the inauguration would be held on a later date.

The purported stories making rounds had gone ahead to claim that Obasanjo had vowed that he would ensure that Ararume never achieved anything in the Politics of Nigeria.

According to Dr. Abayomi, whatever misunderstanding between Ararume and Obasanjo in the past was over and that the duo had been in touch with each other and would continue to do so in the interest of the Country.

Abayomi warned against attempts by certain individuals to drag Obasanjo into the conflict in Imo State Politics. He described Ararume as an astute businessman and leader who would certainly handle the NNPC well.

He described as wicked, attempts by Politicians to use Chief Obasanjo’s name to settle scores with Ararume, who he said, had no issues whatsoever with Obasanjo.

He added that Obasanjo wished Senator Ararume and other members of the NNPC Board well and had advised they discharge their responsibilities with firmness, fairness and patriotism