Nigerians say inspired to protest by 2 billionaires who became activists and won their own battle with Tinubu
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“Dangote and his friend Ote$ led a vigorous yet peaceful protest for 2-3 days and they achieved results. Yet, you’re still doubt the effectiveness of peaceful protest.
“If you like, be patient with a govt that don’t give a f*ck if you become a patient” – Netizen
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Nigerian netizens have pressed the need to proceed with the hunger protest billed to start on August 1, drawing inspiration from how billionaire friends, Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote, together waged a social media protest and won concession from Bola Tinubu to rescue Dangote Refinery from going under.
Otedola sparked a vigorous online engagement over his X (Twitter) comment on the news the President on Monday directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) to sell crude to Dangote Refiner in naira, not in dollars.
Tinubu finally spoke up after weeks of agitation by Dangote, Otedola, and activists demanding his intervention, and allegation by others Tinubu allowed the feud between Dangote and the NNPC to fester because he is allegedly protecting his personal interest in the oil industry.
The intervention did not meet all the requirements for Dangote Refinery to function at full steam – for example, NNPC may not supply all its crude – only that whatever is supplied and bought will be paid in naira, not in dollars, to save foreign reserves.
Nonetheless, Otedola put a positive spin on it on X where other Nigerians expressed different perspectives but stressed how the protest yielded positive results that other Nigerians should note. The responses are as follows:
@Femi Ote$ (@realFemiOtedola
President Tinubu offers lifeline to Dangote Refinery, NNPC to sell crude to it in Naira
To ensure the stability of the pump price of refined fuel and the dollar-Naira exchange rate, the Federal Executive Council today adopted a proposal by President Tinubu to sell crude to Dangote Refinery and other upcoming refineries in Naira.
Dangote Refinery at the moment requires 15 cargoes of crude, at a cost of $13.5 billion yearly. NNPC has committed to supply four.
But the FEC has approved that the 450,000 barrels meant for domestic consumption be offered in Naira to Nigerian refineries, using the Dangote refinery as pilot. The exchange rate will be fixed for the duration of this transaction.
Afreximbank and other settlement banks in Nigeria will facilitate the trade between Dangote and NNPC Limited. The game changing intervention will eliminate the need for international letters of credit. It will also save the country of billions of dollars used in importing refined fuel … F.Ote
oseni rufai (@ruffydfire)
When the Naira redesign policy happened and politicians were starved of money, when the people protested, this same politicians supported it, infact some governors publicly asked their citizens to disobey the president then.
“Some of these governors never stopped protest in their state, infact they welcomed the protests with their rhetorics, this happened February 2023.
@ayemojubar
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A closed mouth is a closed destiny; If billionaires can stand up and sorosoke against political intimidation and oppression, why shouldn’t you the kobonaires and thousandaires learn from that?
@UnkleAyo
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In summary, Dangote needed to protest, whistleblow – to “win” against the FG.
He had his billionaire friend from TRAC and it amplified his voice.
Billionaires bind together to counterbully political bullies. I wonder what message this passes to common, poor Nigerians.
@IgonorMathias
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Dangote needs 15 cargos and NNPC offered to supply only 4, that’s not even a average number.
NNPC should stop supplying/exporting crude oil to foreign refineries. If Dangote needs 15 NNPC should be supplying at least 10 if it means we’ll for Nigeria.
@firstladyshipPA
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From billionaire to blogger, is Nigeria not happening everyone? 🥹😋😂😫😫
@ugo_shib
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So fuel will go back to 200# ? If not na una sabi there
@olumidecapital
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Big win for Africa’s richest man, but the FG shouldn’t have to wait for extreme feedback before such was made.
@von_Bismack
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Now you fight has finished.
@ayemojubar
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Dangote and his friend Ote$ led a vigorous yet peaceful protest for 2-3 days and they achieved results. Yet, you’re still doubt the effectiveness of peaceful protest. If you like, be patient with a govt that don’t give a f*ck if you become a patient.
@Ezeifeka_Obinna
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Larger percentage of our energy security is now placed in Dangote hands.
@adex_smithjr
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This country has gone beyond bad. The government can’t do anything without pegging or subsides because her citizens will cry hardship as we have been used to subsidy.
But if this will stabilise the Naira against the dollar then we can keep reducing the pegged price year by year.
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