…Says President’s directive creates funding gap for frontier oil exploration
…Meets new APC Excos in Akwanga, pledges loyalty to Tinubu
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has disclosed that he is set to lead a crucial meeting of some state governors to address the implications of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order No. 9, which has created a funding impasse for oil exploration activities across the country, including that of Nasarawa State.
Speaking on Wednesday at the V.I.P. Lodge in Akwanga during a meeting with the newly elected Local Government and Ward executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Nasarawa North Senatorial Zone, Governor Sule revealed that his colleagues are relying on his background in the oil and gas sector to help navigate the complex situation.
According to the Governor, while President Tinubu acted in good faith by issuing the order to correct inconsistencies between the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the Nigerian Constitution, the directive has inadvertently halted funding for critical frontier exploration.
He explained that the 30 percent deduction previously managed by the NNPCL part of which was utilised for exploration activities in basins across the country—including the Lake Chad Basin, Benue Trough, and Nasarawa—would cease under the new order, threatening the progress of oil exploration in the state.
“Mr. President did what the constitution demands, and we cannot fight that. But there is a lacuna. The danger is that the money for frontier exploration will stop. That means exploration in Nasarawa, Lake Chad, and other basins will be affected.
Today, those who believe I am in the best position to offer advice are calling on me. Some governors are meeting with me so that we can come up with a solution that protects our interests while respecting the President’s directive,” Governor Sule explained.
He emphasized that the President’s intention was to ensure that oil revenues meant for the Federation Account are not diverted, but noted that the unintended consequence is a funding gap for exploring new oil wells.
The planned meeting of governors, billed to hold at the Nasarawa Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, is therefore aimed at finding a balanced solution that will sustain exploration activities without running afoul of the law.
While addressing the party executives, Governor Sule used the opportunity to reaffirm his absolute loyalty to President Tinubu and the APC, attributing the relative financial stability of Nasarawa State to the economic reforms championed by the President.
He noted that the state is currently executing projects without borrowing from banks, a feat he says is courtesy of the Tinubu administration’s policies.“All this noise about me performing wonders in Nasarawa is because of the reforms introduced by President Tinubu.
It is because of his policies that we are doing what we are doing without borrowing a single kobo from any bank. By the grace of God, I will leave this state without any bank hounding us for repayment,” he said.
The Governor congratulated the newly elected party officials, reminding them that their emergence was by divine will. He, however, sounded a note of warning, calling for unwavering loyalty and unity of purpose.
He expressed concern over what he described as old-fashioned politics aimed at reversing collective decisions, and offered a window for those who cannot align with the party’s direction to quietly exit.
“I am appealing to my friends and family here. We have a direction, and that direction is APC and Mr. President. If for any reason you cannot follow this path, I am begging you, please use this window to quietly withdraw.
It doesn’t make sense for us to agree on a direction during the day, only for some people to go and reverse those decisions at night with emotions of 1920 politics,” the Governor cautioned.
Governor Sule also directed the new executives to verify the constitutional provision mandating that Deputy Chairmen positions at both Local Government and Ward levels be occupied by women, urging strict compliance with the party’s constitution.
He further charged them to ensure they are fully captured in the ongoing E-registration exercise, describing it as critical to building a solid foundation for the party in Nasarawa State.
