There’s No Rift Between Our Founder And Elumelu, Dangote Group Debunks Viral Post
By Rotela Oguns
Dangote Group has debunked a report making the rounds that Aliko Dangote, the founder of the company, is no longer in good terms with Tony Elumelu, the chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA).
The group noted that the report is not just baseless but also malicious, solely fabricated to drive a wedge into the rosy relationship between Dangote and Elumelu.
The rebuttal was prompted by a post by one Oghnemineh on X, claiming Dangote said “in 2021, when the refinery I was building was only half-completed, I ran out of funds to continue the project”.
According to Oghnemineh Dangote said he “reached out to many of my business colleagues for financial assistance, including Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Mike Adenuga”.
The X user further claimed that the billionaire said Elumelu “promised to assist me with $20 million,” but later “blocked my contact everywhere”.
Oghnemineh added that Dangote said his “other business colleagues came together and raised $500 million for me” and that Femi Otedola alone contributed $300 million.
But reacting to the post in a statement on Saturday, group chief branding and communications officer for Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina described the content as fabricated, vowing to take legal actions against those behind the post.
The company said the post titled ‘Aliko Dangote Speaks Out on Why He Distanced Himself from Tony Elumelu,’ is “false, malicious, and baseless”.
“At no time did the president or the group make such statements or express such sentiments,” the company said.
The company also clarified that Aliko Dangote does not borrow from friends or associates to finance projects.
“The group categorically rejects claims that the development of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals was financed through personal borrowing from friends,” the company said.
“These assertions are wholly inaccurate and constitute a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.”
Dangote group added that any individual making such lending arrangement claims should “provide verifiable evidence to substantiate them”.
The company also dismissed suggestions of any fallout between Dangote and Elumelu.
“Equally false are suggestions of any estrangement between Aliko Dangote and Mr Tony Elumelu, with whom he maintains a longstanding and cordial relationship,” the company said.
Dangote Group said the company is increasingly concerned about the misuse of Dangote’s identity in digital content.
“The group notes with concern a rising pattern of fabricated statements and the unauthorised use of Aliko Dangote’s name, likeness, and image in AI-generated advertisements and other misleading content. These actions amount to reputational harm and potential fraud,” the statement reads.
The group warned that those responsible for creating and disseminating such materials should desist immediately.
“All individuals, organisations, and platforms involved in the creation, publication, or dissemination of such false content are hereby put on notice to desist immediately,” the company said.
“The group will take appropriate steps, including legal action where necessary, to protect its reputation and that of its leadership.”
