Intels Punctures Atiku’s Claim, Says Buhari’s Govt Not Influencing Business Decisions

Oil and Gas logistics company, Intels Nigeria Limited on Tuesday said business decisions taken by the company have not been influenced by the incumbent administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Intels issued a statement on Tuesday, in Lagos to refute the reasons given by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for selling off its shares at the company.

Atiku had announced his divestment from the company on Monday, blaming the Buhari’s administration for trying to destroy the company because of political differences.

The sale of Atiku’s stake in Intels was executed through Guernsey Trust. The deals began in December 2018 and concluded in 2020.

Making clarifications on the sale, the spokesman for Intels Nigeria Limited, Tommaso Ruffinoni, said the company’s decisions had been devoid of political considerations as it had always operated according to market logic.

“Intels Nigeria Limited and its parent company, Orlean Invest Holding, in relation to some statements that appeared in the press yesterday and today, categorically deny that its business has at some time been hindered by political influences from the current government.

“The company has always operated according to market logic, thanks to its history and commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy in the oil and gas logistics sector.

“The ongoing contradictions are part of a natural commercial divergence, which will hopefully be resolved, as in the past, by a new approach, in the interest of all the parties, also according to the social role that Intels plays in the country.”