By David Torough, Abuja

The Federal Government has dismissed claims by former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, over the resolution of disputes surrounding the OPL 245 oil block, describing the criticisms as misleading and contrary to national interest.

Referring to a pre-action notice issued by Malabu Oil as proof that the dispute remains unresolved, Atiku had accused the Federal Government of misleading Nigerians.

He had 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.

But in a statement on Wednesday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, said Atiku trivalised a “landmark achievement” by the administration of Bola Tinubu in resolving a dispute that had lingered for nearly three decades.

The government recalled that OPL 245 was originally awarded to Malabu Oil & Gas Limited in 1998, revoked in 2001, and later allocated to Shell Nigeria Ultra-Deep Limited in 2002, triggering years of litigation and public controversy.

According to the statement, the disputes were addressed through a 2011 Resolution Agreement involving the Federal Government, Malabu, Shell Nigeria Ultra-Deep Limited—now succeeded by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo)—and Nigerian Agip Exploration (NAE)/Eni entities. Under the agreement, Malabu relinquished its claims to the oil block for compensation, while the asset was reallocated to SNEPCo and NAE as joint license holders.

The government noted that the transactions arising from the 2011 agreement were subjected to judicial scrutiny in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy, with no wrongdoing established against the companies involved.

It added that following delays in converting the oil prospecting licence into an oil mining lease, Eni entities and Nigerian Agip Exploration initiated arbitration proceedings against Nigeria at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in 2020. The claimants argued that the delay breached Nigeria’s obligations under the Nigeria–Netherlands Bilateral Investment Treaty, exposing the country to potential liabilities exceeding $2 billion.

The Attorney-General clarified that the arbitration proceedings were limited to treaty obligations and licensing issues, stressing that individuals currently laying claim to Malabu did not participate in the process and had no legal basis to intervene.

The statement further highlighted the strategic importance of OPL 245, located about 150 kilometres offshore, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most commercially viable hydrocarbon assets that remained undeveloped for years due to legal disputes.

It said the Tinubu administration’s intervention has now paved the way for the block’s development, with projections indicating it could add about 150,000 barrels per day to Nigeria’s oil production and support gas exports to Nigeria LNG.

Citing a recent judgment in Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited v. Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd (2025), the government noted that the Court of Appeal dismissed Malabu’s challenge to the allocation of the oil block, ruling that the case was statute-barred and an abuse of court process.

The government, however, expressed concern over continued opposition to the resolution, suggesting that such criticisms were driven by undisclosed interests rather than patriotism.

It urged Nigerians to disregard what it described as attempts to undermine a lawful and strategic resolution, insisting that the development of OPL 245 would unlock significant economic benefits, boost investor confidence, and enhance national revenue.

By David Torough, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved decisively towards a consensus-driven leadership structure ahead of its national convention scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja, even as key party blocs across the country consolidate support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The party’s convention planning team confirmed that consensus would be the primary method for selecting national officers, reinforcing a trend already witnessed across recent zonal congresses.

Speaking on the development, the Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity of the convention, Mary Ikoku, said the adoption of consensus reflects the party’s internal strategy, though she noted that decisions on candidate selection for elective offices may still vary across constituencies due to local political realities.

She emphasised that the current Electoral Act permits only direct primaries and consensus, arguing that parties struggling with compliance may be grappling with inadequate preparation.

Ahead of the convention, screening of aspirants into the National Working Committee has commenced, with key figures positioning for roles that will shape the party’s direction into the next electoral cycle.

Meanwhile, the APC’s North Central zone has thrown its full weight behind President Bola Tinubu, unanimously adopting him as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election during its zonal congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The motion, moved by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and seconded by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, drew strong backing from governors and party stakeholders across the zone.

Sule attributed the endorsement to the administration’s economic reforms, stating that improved fiscal conditions had enabled subnational governments to function more effectively.

Party leaders at the gathering highlighted the North Central’s strategic importance, noting that the APC currently controls all states in the zone and continues to expand its political base nationwide.

In the South East, the party concluded its zonal congress in Enugu with the emergence of a new executive committee through consensus, further underscoring the APC’s preference for non-contest leadership selection.

Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu was returned as Zonal Vice Chairman alongside other executives, including Oby Ajih as Woman Leader, in an exercise widely described by stakeholders as peaceful and unifying.

Leaders in the zone reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening party cohesion and mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election, insisting that recent congresses have reinforced the APC’s growing foothold in the region.

A similar pattern played out in the North East, where party members also adopted consensus to elect zonal leaders during a congress in Gombe.

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni described the process as a demonstration of political maturity and internal democracy, noting that consensus-building had helped sustain unity within the party.

Party chieftains in the region urged members to leverage their numerical strength and organisational cohesion to secure victory in 2027, while also calling for continued grassroots mobilisation and peaceful dispute resolution.

Across all zones, the recurring theme of consensus, unity, and early political alignment signals a coordinated effort by the APC to minimise internal friction and present a united front ahead of the national convention and the next general elections.

With zonal structures now largely settled and endorsements beginning to crystallise, attention shifts to Abuja, where the convention is expected to ratify the party’s leadership and set the tone for its 2027 electoral strategy.

President Bola Tinubu has described his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Special Duties, Alhaji Tunde Rahman as a conscientious Journalist, who has   and used the journalism profession  to promote public good and social justice.

 In a message to his aide of many years on his 60^th birthday, the President  poured encomiums on him for his many years of unflinching dedication to duty as his former Adviser on Media and now as a senior aide in the Presidency.

Specifically, President Tinubu noted that Rahman displayed strong leadership and an extraordinary work ethic throughout his service as adviser on Media, especially during the period leading up to the last presidential election, when Rahman played an active and prominent role as a political liaison and media strategist.

“I especially celebrate Tunde Rahman for his outstanding qualities on the celebration of his 60th birthday. He is a dedicated, humble and extraordinarily loyal personal aide who serves with utmost dedication.

“I appreciate his contributions to our progressive ideals and promotion of good governance in our country Tunde is a steadfast and reliable personal aide whose advice and suggestions are sincere and free of any hidden agenda.

“On this diamond birthday celebration, my prayer for Tunde is that God should grant him good health, greater wisdom for greater service to our country and humanity”,  President Tinubu  was quoted to have said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.