Umar Sani, former presidential aide attached to the office of ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, has faulted recent remarks by billionaire businessman Femi Otedola on Nigeria’s fuel subsidy regime, accusing him of attempting to “rewrite history.”
Otedola, in a recent intervention, alleged that over ₦2 trillion was siphoned through fraudulent subsidy claims under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He also blamed members of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), which he claimed to have founded, for sustaining a corrupt system built on subsidy fraud and outdated infrastructure.
Reacting in a statement on his X page, Sani dismissed Otedola’s claims as selective and self-serving.
“The subsidy regime predates Jonathan and lasted decades. It was entrenched under Obasanjo, continued under Yar’Adua, remained during Jonathan’s time, and persisted under Buhari with even greater opacity,” Sani said.
He argued that Otedola himself benefitted massively from the system, noting that his company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, once controlled up to 90% of Nigeria’s diesel imports during the subsidy era.
Sani recalled that Jonathan had established the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede forensic audit panel to expose abuse within the subsidy framework, but efforts at deregulation were frustrated by vested interests, including powerful businessmen and politicians.
He also referenced the Otedola-Farouk Lawan scandal, where Otedola admitted to giving marked money to the lawmaker during the House of Representatives probe on subsidy fraud, later describing it as a sting operation.
“Rather than feigning moral superiority, Otedola should come clean. His comments, while critical of corruption, appear more like image-laundering than truth-telling. Nigerians deserve honesty, full disclosure, and historical accuracy,” Sani said.
The former aide urged Otedola to support a full independent inquiry into the subsidy regime across all administrations, including periods when he profited, instead of offering “curated narratives.”
“Until then, his accusations amount to nothing more than a pot calling the kettle black,” he added.
