The Atiku Abubakar Media Office has pushed back against comments by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, over the OPL 245 oil block dispute, insisting that its position is rooted in verifiable public records rather than political motives.
In a statement issued on March 25, 2026, the media office described the AGF’s claim—that opposition voices are driven by self-interest—as misleading and an attempt to shift attention from key legal and factual issues surrounding the reported resolution of the dispute.
“Our position is firmly grounded in publicly available documents… which raise serious legal objections to the purported settlement,” the statement said.
The group pointed to a pre-action notice by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, noting that it highlights objections to the settlement and suggests that key stakeholders were neither consulted nor involved in the negotiation process.
According to the statement, “These documents clearly indicate that key stakeholders have disputed the legitimacy of the claimed resolution… and that multiple suits on the asset remain pending before competent courts.”
It further criticised the Attorney-General for dismissing such concerns, stating, “It is therefore not only disingenuous but deeply troubling… to dismiss legitimate concerns—rooted in documented legal processes—as ‘self-interest.’”
The media office stressed that raising questions based on public records is a civic responsibility in a democratic system, not an act of opposition.
Highlighting the significance of the oil block, the statement noted that OPL 245 remains one of Nigeria’s most valuable assets, long entangled in legal disputes and international scrutiny.
“The issues at stake are too serious for political spin… What Nigerians deserve is transparency, adherence to due process, and respect for ongoing judicial proceedings,” it added.
The group reiterated that its intervention is guided by public interest and the need to uphold the rule of law, warning that dismissing concerns would not erase existing legal disputes or invalidate claims already before the courts.
It also argued that the Attorney-General’s response underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in handling the matter.
“Nigeria cannot build credibility—locally or internationally—by ignoring documented facts or dismissing legitimate questions. The rule of law must remain supreme,” the statement concluded.
