Dangote Refinery Will Not Be Silenced — “If You Expect Him To Keep Quiet After Investing Billions, You’re A Joker,” Haruna Fires Back At Critics

The simmering battle over Nigeria’s oil supply chain has taken a dramatic turn, as Habib Haruna, Head of Strategic and Public Affairs Analysis, declared that attempts to undermine the $20 billion Dangote Refinery are nothing short of a futile war.

Speaking in an explosive interview with News Central TV, Haruna threw his weight behind Aliko Dangote and billionaire investor Femi Otedola, warning that marketers resisting Dangote’s dominance in the petroleum sector are “fighting a lost battle.”

“His intervention on this supply chain between marketers and Dangote will be difficult, in my view, for the markets to win this war. They don’t only lack the resources, they don’t even have a case,” Haruna stated bluntly.

Taking aim at critics, he fumed:
“You can’t be taking us backwards. Let’s move forward. You know you’re doing this for your selfish interest. If you expect Dangote and his people to keep quiet after investing so much, you’re a joker.”

Haruna hailed Dangote’s transformative role in reshaping Nigeria’s oil and gas landscape, insisting that no amount of resistance can reverse the tide.
“Dangote has come to stay. He has invested billions of dollars into this project. Instead of trying to sabotage him, go and participate—don’t hold him down,” he said.

On Otedola’s recent intervention, Haruna was equally emphatic:
“He went and spent so much money to make his case. That’s not something we should dismiss. It deserves serious consideration.”

Warning that government would not sit idle, Haruna hinted at decisive intervention:
“At the right time, they will step in and stop this nonsense. We must move this country forward.”

He stressed the urgency of supporting local refining capacity at a time when Nigeria’s government-owned refineries remain comatose.
“Our refineries are not working. If Dangote’s refinery is sidelined and we keep importing fuel, wasting scarce dollars, how can anyone expect Nigerians to remain quiet? It cannot work.”

Closing his fiery submission, Haruna issued a rallying call:
“We’ll support Dangote to stabilize fuel prices and ensure marketers do not keep Nigerians at ransom. This is a fight for the future of our economy.”