Atiku Rejects FG’s OPL 245 Dispute Resolution Claim, Warns Against NNPCL JV Asset Sale

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected the Federal Government’s claim that the long-running OPL 245 dispute has been resolved, insisting that the matter remains pending in court.

In a statement on Sunday, Atiku described the claim by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as misleading, pointing to a pre-action notice issued by Malabu Oil as proof that the dispute remains unresolved.

He warned that excluding a major stakeholder from the process raises serious due process concerns, noting that several related cases are still pending before the Supreme Court and the Federal High Court.

Atiku said it was “troubling” that Malabu, a key stakeholder, “was neither consulted nor involved in any purported negotiation or settlement process,” adding that sidelining critical parties reflects “recklessness” rather than strength.

He also expressed concern over reports that up to 30 percent of Nigeria’s Joint Venture assets under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited could be sold.

Describing the reports as alarming, Atiku warned that any such move without transparency would amount to “the quiet auctioning of Nigeria’s future.”

He called on industry groups, including Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, to stay alert and resist what he termed opaque dealings.

This comes as Tinubu’s announced resolution to the OPL 245 dispute after fifteen years.