Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has raised alarm over an alleged plot by a powerful oil cabal, in collaboration with international oil companies (IOCs), to hinder the operations of private refineries like the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Speaking at the Abuja Special Holy Ghost Service on Friday, the influential cleric urged Nigerians to pray against what he described as deliberate efforts by “unscrupulous oil marketers” aiming to create hardships for the country’s citizens.
During his address, Pastor Adeboye highlighted his concerns about attempts to obstruct the Dangote refinery’s operations, likening it to previous sabotage efforts that have plagued Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries. He questioned the country’s heavy reliance on fuel imports despite Nigeria’s status as a leading crude oil producer.
“Are we under a curse?” he asked his congregation. “We have four refineries, we poured all kinds of money into them, none of them is working. But God raised someone to build a refinery that works. He is not my relative; he is not from my village. He is not even a Christian, but he is a Nigerian who says, ‘Why should my people suffer when I have the means to build a refinery that can work?’”
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, owned by business magnate Aliko Dangote, began operations in 2023 with the goal of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products. However, Pastor Adeboye claimed that certain oil marketers and foreign interests are working to prevent the refinery from achieving its mission, instead pushing for continued fuel importation to sustain their own profits. “Now he is refining petrol, and some people want to stop him from selling it, so they can keep importing,” he stated.
Pastor Adeboye urged Nigerians to pray for divine intervention against this alleged sabotage, emphasizing that these actions, if unchecked, could exacerbate fuel scarcity and increase economic hardship.
The cleric’s statements have sparked a mix of public reactions, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their frustration over the continued issues surrounding the country’s energy sector. Despite billions of Naira invested in Nigeria’s public refineries over the years, none have returned to full capacity, a failure that has spurred demand for effective private-sector solutions like the Dangote refinery.
Adeboye’s remarks echo a wider sentiment among Nigerians who hope the refinery will succeed in stabilizing fuel supplies and lowering prices, alleviating the financial strain on households and businesses.
As the RCCG leader called on his congregation to pray for the success of the refinery and the downfall of those intent on blocking it, many will be watching to see how this alleged struggle between local and foreign interests unfolds in Nigeria’s oil sector.