Intels disagrees with Atiku, claims not affected by political influences from Buhari’s government

Intels Nigeria Ltd., an oil and gas logistics company, said its business had not been hindered by political influences from the present government.

The clarification was contained on a statement by the company issued on Tuesday in Lagos.

The statement came on the heels of an earlier announcement by the company that it severed relationship with iys co-founder and major shareholder, former Vice -president Atiku Abubakar after he reportedly sold his shares in the company.

Atiku Abubakar sold his interests in Intels’ parent company, Orlean Invest Holding in a series of transactions that took place between December 2018 and 2020 when it was concluded.

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The deal reportedly fetched the former Vice president over $100 million.

The transactions were executed through Guernsey Trust.

However, Abubakar, who confirmed his divestment from the company, blamed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for trying to destroy the company because of political differences.

The spokesperson for Intels Nigeria Limited–Orlean Invest Group, Tommaso Ruffinoni, said the company’s decisions had been devoid of political considerations as it had always operated according to market logic.

According to him: “Intels Nigeria Limited and its parent company, Orlean Invest Holding, in relation to some statements that appeared in the press yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday), categorically deny that its (sic) business has (sic) 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.”