By Chimezie Godfrey
The media office of Atiku Abubakar has faulted recent remarks by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, insisting that its stance on the OPL 245 controversy is based strictly on verifiable public records, not political considerations.
In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja, the Atiku Media Office described the Attorney-General’s claim—that opposition voices on the OPL 245 matter are driven by self-interest—as misleading and a diversion from the substantive legal and factual issues surrounding the alleged resolution of the dispute.
The statement maintained that its position is supported by publicly available documents, including a pre-action notice reportedly issued by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, which raises serious legal objections to the purported settlement.
According to the media office, the documents indicate that key stakeholders have challenged the legitimacy of the claimed resolution, stressing that they were neither consulted nor involved in any negotiation process. It added that multiple suits concerning the oil block are still pending before competent courts.
“It is disingenuous and troubling for the Attorney-General to dismiss concerns rooted in documented legal processes as self-interest,” the statement said, adding that in a constitutional democracy, raising questions based on verifiable records is a responsibility, not opposition.
The statement further argued that OPL 245 remains one of Nigeria’s most significant oil assets, long mired in complex litigation and international scrutiny, and therefore requires transparency and strict adherence to due process.
It warned against what it described as premature declarations and attempts to downplay legitimate concerns, insisting that Nigerians deserve openness and respect for ongoing judicial proceedings.
The media office also clarified that Atiku has no interest in OPL 245 and has never held any stake in the asset, stressing that his intervention is solely in the public interest and aimed at upholding the rule of law.
It added that no amount of rhetoric can negate the existence of pending legal disputes or invalidate concerns raised through formal legal channels.
The statement concluded that Nigeria’s credibility, both locally and internationally, depends on transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law, urging the Attorney-General to address the substantive issues raised rather than resorting to what it termed propaganda.