The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong statement condemning any plans by the federal government to privatize Nigeria’s refineries without first conducting a full forensic audit and public inquiry. The party argues that before any discussions around privatization can legitimately proceed, there must be a comprehensive audit of all funds allocated to the rehabilitation of the refineries from 2010 to date.
The ADC insists that such an audit must be carried out by an independent forensic firm and followed by a third-party technical evaluation to determine the current operational status and potential of the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna. The findings, the party says, must be made public through a legislative hearing involving civil society organizations, energy sector economists, anti-corruption agencies, and the media.
The statement comes amid growing public concern over reports that the Nigerian government is preparing to sell off some of the country’s state-owned refineries to private interests, even as questions remain unanswered about billions of naira previously spent on their so-called rehabilitation. Since 2010, successive administrations have allocated over N11 trillion to the maintenance and rehabilitation of the refineries, with little to no production output to show for it.
The ADC has described any attempt to sell these refineries without first accounting for past expenditures as “not just illegitimate, but criminal.” It warned that this move would amount to rewarding years of mismanagement, opacity, and alleged corruption in the petroleum sector with a rushed sale that lacks transparency and public consent.
“This is not simply about public finance. It is about public trust,” the ADC said. “If this government truly believes in reform, then it must begin with the truth. And if it claims to be accountable, then it must submit itself to scrutiny. What we are witnessing is not a policy decision it is a cover-up. And the ADC will not stand by while national assets are sold off without due process.”
The party reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, good governance, and economic justice, urging the National Assembly, labour unions, industry experts, and the general public to demand accountability and halt the proposed refinery privatization until a full and transparent audit process is concluded.
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