Minister, Another Top FG Official Ignore Tinubu’s Directive, Take Contrary Action

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, is embroiled in controversy for not following President Bola Tinubu’s directive concerning Nigeria’s representation in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Despite a presidential order issued on May 6 appointing Nicholas Agbo-Ella as OPEC Governor for Nigeria, Lokpobiri has not implemented the directive, causing tensions within the ministry.

Nicholas Agbo-Ella, who became Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources after Gabriel Aduda was reassigned to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in February, was supposed to replace Aduda as Nigeria’s OPEC Governor. However, sources within the Petroleum Ministry disclosed to Premium Times that Aduda, with Lokpobiri’s support, continues to attend OPEC events.

This non-compliance persists despite President Tinubu’s explicit instructions to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stressing the urgency of the replacement to align with Nigeria’s interests at the OPEC conference scheduled for June 1, 2024.

Reports indicate that Aduda still appears as Nigeria’s representative on the OPEC website and identifies himself as the OPEC governor on social media, while Agbo-Ella was absent from the recent 165th Meeting of the OPEC Board of Governors. This ongoing defiance raises concerns about internal governance and Nigeria’s adherence to its international commitments, as the Petroleum Act requires a high-ranking official from the petroleum ministry to represent Nigeria at OPEC.

A presidential aide, who requested anonymity, remarked, “I have never seen such a 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?”

Sources within the ministry also revealed that Aduda was hesitant to leave the petroleum ministry following his reassignment by the Head of Service of the Federation. “Ambassador Aduda feels that he can choose which ministry he serves as Permanent Secretary due to his influence,” another official from the petroleum ministry told Premium Times.

In a recent instance, despite relinquishing his position as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Aduda was seen in a photograph welcoming the OPEC Secretary General, Haitham Al Ghais, in Nigeria. A source mentioned that Aduda, a native of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, is currently lobbying to succeed the outgoing Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan, although this claim could not be verified.