Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over its handling of the OPL 245 dispute, describing recent claims of a ‘final resolution’ as misleading.
In a statement on Sunday by the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president said a fresh legal move by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited indicates that the matter remains unresolved, contrary to assurances by government officials.
The statement referenced a pre-action notice issued by Malabu through its counsel, Chief R.O. Atabo (SAN), challenging the narrative of closure reportedly advanced by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi.
According to Atiku, the dispute is still active, with cases pending before both the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court. He also raised concerns that Malabu, described as a key stakeholder in the oil block, was not involved in any negotiations leading to the reported resolution agreement allegedly executed at the Presidential Villa.
He argued that sidelining a major stakeholder while legal proceedings are ongoing raises serious questions about transparency, due process, and the integrity of the process. The development, he said, reflects a broader pattern of governance driven more by optics than substance.
Beyond the OPL 245 issue, Atiku expressed concern over reports that up to 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Joint Venture assets under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) may be put up for sale. He warned that such assets are strategic to Nigeria’s revenue base and should not be disposed of without full transparency, competitive valuation, and public accountability.
He also questioned the reported relocation of NNPCL Upstream Investment Management Services to Lagos, with an alleged annual rental cost exceeding ₦9 billion, describing the move as inconsistent with fiscal discipline at a time of rising debt obligations.
The statement further cited unverified allegations linking the property involved in the relocation to interests associated with the President’s family, warning that failure to address such claims could erode public trust.
On the broader state of the nation, Atiku said Nigerians continue to grapple with worsening economic conditions and insecurity despite government claims of reforms. He pointed to rising debt levels, persistent security challenges, and what he described as increased spending on image management as indicators of deeper governance concerns.
He urged industry stakeholders, including the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, to remain vigilant and ensure that national assets are not compromised through opaque transactions.
Atiku maintained that the OPL 245 controversy goes beyond an oil block dispute, describing it as emblematic of a wider governance challenge where due process is undermined, legal disputes are prematurely declared resolved, and national assets are handled without sufficient transparency.
He stressed that democracy depends on accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law, warning that any erosion of these principles weakens the foundations of the country.
‘The Nigerian people deserve a government that tells the truth, manages resources transparently, and prioritises security and economic stability over public relations’, the statement added.
