Minister And Perm Sec Fail To Follow Tinubu’s Commands

Minister And Perm Sec Fail To Follow Tinubu’s Commands....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, is embroiled in controversy for failing to comply with President Bola Tinubu’s directive concerning Nigeria’s representation at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Despite a presidential order issued on May 6, instructing the appointment of Nicholas Agbo-Ella as Nigeria’s OPEC Governor, Lokpobiri has not taken action, causing tensions within the ministry……. CONTINUE READING

Nicholas Agbo-Ella, who assumed the role of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources after Gabriel Aduda’s reassignment in February, was slated to replace Aduda as Nigeria’s representative at OPEC. However, sources within the Petroleum Ministry disclosed to Premium Times that Aduda, supported by Lokpobiri, continues to participate in OPEC activities.

This defiance persists despite clear instructions from President Tinubu conveyed in a memo to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stressing the urgency of Agbo-Ella’s appointment to align with Nigeria’s interests at the upcoming June 1, 2024 OPEC conference.

Sources further revealed that while Aduda remains listed as Nigeria’s OPEC governor on the organization’s official website and social media platforms, Agbo-Ella was conspicuously absent from the recent 165th Meeting of the OPEC Board of Governors.

The ongoing disregard for presidential directives not only raises governance concerns but also questions Nigeria’s adherence to its international commitments, as stipulated by the Petroleum Act requiring a senior official from the petroleum ministry to represent the country at OPEC.

A presidential aide, speaking anonymously, expressed dismay over the situation, stating, “I have never witnessed such blatant disregard for the office of the President by a minister who serves at the pleasure of Mr. President and doubles as Minister of Petroleum Resources.”

Internal sources at the ministry indicated that Aduda resisted leaving the petroleum ministry following his redeployment by the Head of Service of the Federation. There are also reports that Aduda, who hails from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, is lobbying to succeed the outgoing Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, though this remains unverified.