The Dangote Group has categorically denied viral claims of a schism between its president, Aliko Dangote, and fellow businessman Tony Elumelu, calling the reports fake and misleading.
According to Nairametrics, in a statement issued on Sunday by its Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the company warned content creators, organizations, and digital platforms not to spread misinformation and AI-generated content under its brand and leadership.
The remark came after a viral post on X claimed Dangote solicited financial aid from notable acquaintances to finish the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
According to the post, Elumelu offered $20 million but then stopped communicating, while other corporate giants, including Mike Adenuga, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Femi Otedola, apparently gave considerable sums.
However, the Dangote Group categorically denied the allegations, claiming that neither Dangote nor the corporation made such statements.
“The Group categorically rejects claims that the development of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery was financed through personal borrowing from friends. These assertions are wholly inaccurate and constitute a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.
“As a matter of principle, Aliko Dangote neither finances his projects through personal borrowing from friends nor engages in lending arrangements of that nature. Any individual making such claims should provide verifiable evidence to substantiate them.
“Equally false are suggestions of any estrangement between Aliko Dangote and Mr. Tony Elumelu, with whom he maintains a longstanding and cordial relationship,” the statement read.
It further stated that, as a matter of principle, Dangote does not support projects using personal loans from friends and challenged anyone making such charges to present verifiable proof.
The corporation further denied any fallout between Dangote and Elumelu, stating that the two men have a long and friendly relationship and warned that the propagation of unverified information is designed to mislead the public.
