Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for an explanation from the federal government regarding the rapid approval granted to Oando Plc for the acquisition of AGIP and ENI’s onshore assets. Atiku, who is concerned about the preferential treatment given to Oando, compared the swift approval with the lengthy delays faced by other deals such as Shell/Renaissance and Mobil/Seplat.
Atiku criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of perpetuating a fraudulent subsidy regime despite claims of its removal. He highlighted a discrepancy in financial statements from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which revealed a ₦7.8 trillion debt, suggesting that the subsidy regime is being used to fund the 2027 elections.
Additionally, Atiku raised concerns about rising human rights abuses under Tinubu’s government, pointing to the unlawful detention of journalists and whistleblowers. He urged the administration to address these issues to avoid further damage to Nigeria’s reputation and potential international sanctions.