₦airaland Forum

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), for faulting his recent commentary on the federal government’s handling of the OPL 245 dispute.

On March 5, the presidency announced the conclusion of a settlement agreement involving the federal government, Eni, and Nigerian Agip Exploration Limited (NAEL).

The AGF described the development as a milestone in repositioning Nigeria’s economic landscape.

However, Abubakar, in a statement on Sunday, dismissed the claimed resolution as “nothing more than political theatrics,” insisting the matter is “far from resolved” and remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings.

He also alleged that key stakeholders were excluded from the process, warning that “a government that sidelines critical stakeholders, disregards pending judicial processes, and proceeds to celebrate a disputed agreement demonstrates not strength, but recklessness”.

Responding on Wednesday, Fagbemi described Abubakar’s position as misrepresenting what he called a “landmark achievement” in resolving a dispute that has lingered for nearly three decades.

The AGF further claimed that opposition to the deal was “both revealing and deeply concerning,” adding that persistent criticisms “strongly suggest they are driven not by patriotism or objective reasoning, but by undisclosed and self-serving interests”.

‘OUR POSITION GROUNDED IN PUBLIC RECORDS’

In a statement on Thursday by Paul Ibe, his media aide, Abubakar, fired back at the AGF, asserting that no amount of rhetoric can settle the disputed oil contracts.

Abubakar described Fagbemi’s remarks as “misleading and an attempt to divert attention from the substantive legal and factual issues surrounding the so-called ‘resolution’ of the OPL 245 dispute”.

The former vice-president insisted that his stance is “firmly grounded” in publicly available documents, including the pre-action notice issued by Malabu Oil and Gas Limited to relevant authorities, which raises serious legal objections to the purported settlement.

“These documents clearly show that key stakeholders have disputed the legitimacy of the claimed resolution, stating unequivocally that they were neither consulted nor involved in any negotiation process, and that multiple suits on the asset remain pending before competent courts,” the statement reads.

“It is not only disingenuous but deeply troubling for the Attorney-General to dismiss legitimate concerns—rooted in documented legal processes—as ‘self-interest.”

Abubakar added that in any constitutional democracy, raising questions based on verifiable records is not opposition, but a responsibility, which he claimed, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has abandoned.

He noted that the stakes are too high for political spin, noting that “OPL 245 is not a mere talking point, but one of the most consequential oil assets in Nigeria, long entangled in complex litigation and international scrutiny”.

“What Nigerians deserve is transparency, adherence to due process, and respect for ongoing judicial proceedings—not premature declarations of victory or attempts to silence scrutiny with cheap and weak propaganda,” the statement added.

“For the record, I do not have an interest in OPL 245, have never had an interest, and will never have an interest in OPL 245.”

He added that his intervention is “guided solely by the public interest and the need to uphold the rule of law,” noting that “no amount of rhetoric can erase the existence of pending legal disputes or invalidate concerns already raised by affected parties through formal legal channels”.

“If anything, the Attorney-General’s response underscores the very need for greater openness and accountability. Nigeria cannot build credibility—locally or internationally—by ignoring documented facts or dismissing legitimate questions,” the statement reads.

“The rule of law must remain supreme. Meanwhile, the Attorney-General may do well to address the substantive issues raised in our earlier intervention instead of resorting to propaganda.”

Parachoko:
This same Atiku, when he was in government, he sold government businesses to his friends at a ridiculous price

ZombieDredd:
Tinubu APC and propaganda

Vision101:
Do you understand the history and issues involved in OPL245 or the only word that you understood is propaganda?

Stomoney:
If den send you go prison now you go dey blame your village people

We have been saying it, stop making comments you can't prove

ZombieDredd:
Mr teacher, educate us.

Tell us if atiku that has more knowledge on the issue as VP is lying or not?

Parachoko:
This same Atiku, when he was in government, he sold government businesses to his friends at a ridiculous price

AMINDA:
Does the AGF think he can wish this away? Why come out to lie that a dispute has been resolved when it's easily verifiable that it has not? Tinubu can't govern Nigeria on propaganda and lies. Nigerians deserve accountability.

Parachoko:
This same Atiku, when he was in government, he sold government businesses to his friends at a ridiculous price

AMINDA:
Does the AGF think he can wish this away? Why come out to lie that a dispute has been resolved when it's easily verifiable that it has not? Tinubu can't govern Nigeria on propaganda and lies. Nigerians deserve accountability.

professorPABX:
Where is the Propaganda? What is propaganda? Is Lateef Fagbemi a Lawyer of the same Professional integrity like Malami or Andoakaa? Who are the interests excluded in the resolution of the crises? Which court validated them as interests in the deal ? ATIKU was a Vice President that made himself a defacto President because OBASANJO just came out of prison and was busy on reforms in 2001 and 2002 when the crisis began. ATIKU was indirectly part of the deal.

Parachoko:
This same Atiku, when he was in government, he sold government businesses to his friends at a ridiculous price

Stomoney:
If den send you go prison now you go dey blame your village people

We have been saying it, stop making comments you can't prove

Parachoko:
Let him sue me, I go open book for am. He's a criminal wanted in the USA

HIGHESTPOPORI:
Old stales fake news,name the government businesses and the friends he sold it to

epainos:
Dem don arrive. Na this same Naija una kuku go dey go suffer well well. Of all people.....atiku abubarkar. Lol. We go kuku see how he go buy votes with dollars. But I know that Obi go weaken him. And Wike is still around to knock him out. Lol. Walahi....una deserve suffer suffer.

Kpilo101:
Atiku is now a saint!!! Nigeria has passed the stage of people taking us back. Even though I don't like PBATs politics style, he has been the most effective president Nigeria as had in recent years. He has the capacity to break any cabal to make a policy that we will enjoy in the nearest future.

Vision101:
Say educate me because it's obvious that you know nothing about it. If Atiku is saying the truth or not you don't know. The only thing that you understood is propaganda.

Stomoney:
This is funny
Naso Una talk say Tinubu get drug cases for Chicago

When Una go stop being an enemy to the big wigs and concentrate on progressing on Una personal life