The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, is at the centre of controversy for not adhering to President Bola Tinubu’s directive regarding Nigeria’s representation in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Despite a presidential order issued on May 6, directing the appointment of Nicholas Agbo-Ella as OPEC Governor for Nigeria, Lokpobiri has failed to act, leading to tensions within the ministry.
Nicholas Agbo-Ella, who took over as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources following Gabriel Aduda’s reassignment to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in February, was to replace Aduda as Nigeria’s OPEC Governor.
However, insiders at the Petroleum Ministry revealed to Premium Times that Aduda, supported by Lokpobiri, continues to participate in OPEC events.
This defiance comes despite clear instructions from President Tinubu in a memo to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, emphasizing the urgency of the replacement to align with Nigeria’s interests at the OPEC conference scheduled for June 1, 2024.
Sources further disclosed that while Aduda still represents Nigeria on the OPEC website and identifies as the OPEC governor on social media platforms, Agbo-Ella was notably absent from the recent 165th Meeting of the OPEC Board of Governors.
The ongoing disregard for the presidential directive not only raises questions about internal governance but also about Nigeria’s compliance with its international obligations, as the Petroleum Act mandates a high-ranking official from the petroleum ministry to represent Nigeria at OPEC.
A presidential aide who said he was not authorised to speak on the matter told the platform, “I have never seen this level of disrespect for the office of Nigeria’s President by a minister who serves at the pleasure of Mr President.
“How can a junior minister refuse and neglect directives from his principal who doubles as President and Minister of Petroleum Resources.”
Insiders at the ministry also said Aduda was reluctant to leave the petroleum ministry when his redeployment came from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
“Ambassador Aduda feels that he can determine which Ministry he serves as Permanent Secretary because of their influence,” another official of the petroleum ministry told Premium Times
In one instance, despite relinquishing the office of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Aduda was seen in a photograph receiving the OPEC Secretary General, Haitham Al Ghais, in Nigeria recently.
One source said Aduda, an indigene of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, is currently lobbying to succeed the outgoing Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan. However, the claim could not be verified.
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