Former Special Adviser on Media to ex–Vice President Namadi Sambo, Umar Sani, has defended former President Goodluck Jonathan over allegations by billionaire businessman Femi Otedola that more than N2 trillion was lost to fuel subsidy scams during Jonathan’s administration.
Otedola, a former major player in the downstream oil sector, recently alleged that corruption in the subsidy regime was rampant, blaming members of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), which he said he founded, for perpetuating subsidy fraud. He claimed the Jonathan government oversaw massive losses.
Responding in a statement, Sani said it was “misleading and selective” to single out Jonathan, arguing that Nigeria’s fuel subsidy regime predated his presidency and continued long after it. He noted that subsidy spending persisted under Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, and Muhammadu Buhari.
Sani accused Otedola of benefitting heavily from the same system he now condemns, alleging that his company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, once controlled up to 90% of diesel imports. He added that Jonathan’s administration attempted to reform the sector through a forensic audit led by Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and moves toward deregulation, which were resisted by vested interests.
He further pointed out that Otedola’s company was spotlighted during investigations into subsidy payments by both the Aig-Imoukhuede panel and the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee led by Farouk Lawan.
Sani argued that if Otedola truly seeks accountability, he should disclose his own role in the subsidy regime and support a broader inquiry covering all administrations. “Until then, his accusations amount to nothing more than a pot calling the kettle black,” he said.
