OPL 245: Tinubu Running Government Of Propaganda, Not Substance

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government over its handling of the OPL 245 dispute, describing recent claims of a “final resolution” as misleading.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Atiku Media Office said a fresh legal move by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited shows the matter is still far from settled, contrary to earlier assurances by government officials.

The statement pointed to a pre-action notice issued by Malabu through its counsel, Chief R.O. Atabo (SAN), which it said challenges the narrative of closure being promoted by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.

According to the statement, the dispute remains active in court, with cases still pending before the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court.

It 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, which was said to have been executed at the Presidential Villa.

Atiku argued that sidelining a major stakeholder while legal proceedings are ongoing raises serious questions about transparency and due process.

It described the development as part of a broader pattern under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which it accused of prioritising optics over substance.

Beyond the OPL 245 issue, the statement expressed alarm over reports that up to 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Joint Venture assets under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited may be put up for sale. It warned that such assets are critical to the country’s revenue base and should not be disposed of without full transparency and accountability.

It also raised questions about the reported relocation of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services to Lagos, with an alleged annual rental cost exceeding ₦9 billion. The media office said such spending, at a time of rising debt obligations, reflects poor fiscal priorities.

The statement further referenced unverified claims linking the property involved in the relocation to interests associated with the President’s family, noting that failure to address such allegations could erode public trust.

On the broader state of the country, the Atiku Media Office said Nigerians continue to face worsening economic conditions and insecurity despite government claims of reforms. It cited rising debt levels, ongoing security challenges, and what it described as increased spending on image management as signs of deeper governance issues.

“Contrary to official pronouncements, it is now clear that the matter is far from resolved and remains the subject of multiple subsisting legal proceedings, including cases before the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court.

“Even more troubling is the revelation that Malabu — a principal stakeholder with longstanding legal and equitable interests in OPL 245 — was neither consulted nor involved in any purported negotiation or settlement process. This raises fundamental questions about the legality, transparency, and integrity of the so-called “Resolution Agreement” reportedly executed at the Presidential Villa.

“A government that sidelines critical stakeholders, disregards pending judicial processes, and proceeds to celebrate a disputed agreement demonstrates not strength, but recklessness.

This development is not an isolated incident. It fits into a broader and disturbing pattern that has come to define the Tinubu administration — a pattern of governance driven more by propaganda than by substance, more by optics than by legality, and more by expediency than by national interest.

“We are alarmed by credible reports suggesting a planned sale of up to 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Joint Venture assets under NNPC Limited. These assets are not mere commercial instruments; they are strategic national holdings — the backbone of Nigeria’s revenue architecture. Any attempt to dispose of them without full transparency, competitive valuation, and public accountability would amount to the quiet auctioning of Nigeria’s future.

“We call on PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and all stakeholders in the oil and gas industry to remain vigilant. The Nigerian people must not be shortchanged through opaque transactions carried out under the cover of reform.

“Equally concerning are reports surrounding the relocation of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services back to Lagos at an alleged annual rental cost exceeding ₦9 billion. At a time when Nigeria is grappling with an unprecedented debt servicing burden — rising from nearly ₦7 trillion in 2023 to about ₦16 trillion — such expenditure raises serious questions about fiscal discipline and priority setting.

“Even more disturbing are allegations, yet to be credibly refuted, that the property in question may be linked to interests associated with the President’s family. In public service, perception matters. Silence in the face of such weighty allegations only deepens suspicion and erodes public trust. This is how institutions are weakened — not always by overt illegality, but by a steady erosion of transparency, accountability, and ethical governance.

“The OPL 245 controversy is therefore not just about an oil block. It is emblematic of a larger governance crisis — where due process is treated as optional, where legal disputes are repackaged as political victories, and where national assets are handled with troubling opacity.

“At the same time, Nigerians continue to endure a worsening security situation. From banditry to kidnappings, from insurgency to violent crime, the country remains under siege. Farmers cannot farm. Businesses cannot operate safely. Citizens cannot travel without fear. Yet, instead of decisive action, what Nigerians receive are carefully crafted statements designed to mask inaction.

“Security is not a slogan. It is a duty. And on this fundamental responsibility, the government continues to fall short.

” The economic outlook is no less troubling. Despite claims of increased revenue, there is little evidence of corresponding improvements in infrastructure, healthcare, or education. Borrowing continues at an alarming pace, while public debt edges dangerously toward unsustainable levels.

Reports of millions of dollars allegedly spent on foreign image laundering only reinforce the perception of a government more concerned with optics than outcomes.

“This is not reform. This is misgovernance dressed in the language of reform.
Nigeria did not struggle for democracy only to witness the emergence of civilian authoritarian tendencies — where opposition voices are targeted, dissent is discouraged, and institutions are weaponised.

“We reiterate: democracy thrives on accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law. Any government that undermines these principles undermines the very foundation of the Republic.

“The Nigerian people deserve better. They deserve a government that tells the truth — not one that manufactures victories where none exist. They deserve an oil and gas sector governed by transparency — not secrecy. They deserve economic management rooted in discipline — not reckless borrowing and opaque spending. They deserve security that protects lives — not assurances that ring hollow.

“The unfolding OPL 245 saga is a stark reminder that no amount of propaganda can substitute for due process. No declaration can override the courts. And no government can outspin the truth indefinitely. History will take note. But more importantly, the Nigerian people are watching — and they will not be deceived.”

End.