Senate President Godswill Akpabio has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over what he described as a “criminally defamatory and inciting” allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who accused him of plotting her assassination.

In the petition dated April 3 and copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Akpabio described the claims as “heinous lies” intended to damage his reputation, incite public unrest, and endanger his life.

The controversy stems from a public speech by Akpoti-Uduaghan on April 1 in Kogi State, where she alleged that Akpabio had directed former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to assassinate her within Kogi State in order to make it appear that her constituents were behind the attack.

Responding to the accusation, Akpabio stated in his petition: “This statement is not only a heinous lie but a reckless and deliberate attempt to damage my reputation, endanger my life and security, and incite political unrest.”

He added that the allegation, made without evidence, was politically motivated and designed to manipulate public sentiment.

“It is a calculated act of blackmail and character assassination, designed to portray me as a political villain,” he said.

Akpabio called for an immediate police investigation and urged the prosecution of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan under laws covering criminal defamation, incitement, false accusation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The Senate President also stressed the impact of the allegation due to its widespread coverage on TV, radio, print, and social media.

“The severity of this false allegation, and the fact that it has gained public traction, makes it necessary that law enforcement agencies treat it with the urgency it deserves,” he said.

He concluded the petition by stating the need to hold public officials accountable for statements capable of undermining national peace and democratic institutions.

This latest clash between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan follows an earlier controversy in which she accused the Senate President of sexual harassment — a claim that contributed to her suspension from the upper legislative chamber for alleged misconduct.

Dangote refinery has informed marketers and its customers of a downward review of its ex-gantry loading cost to N865 per litre.

The new price is a reduction of N15 from N880 per litre sold by the facility on Wednesday.

It was gathered that the refinery informed its customers in a notice sent out on Thursday morning.

Recall that marketers had informed newsmen that the 650,000 barrels refinery was anticipated to lower its petrol loading costs by the end of this week, further contributing to the reduction in fuel prices.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, reassured the public of the price drop while commenting on the Federal Executive Council’s directive regarding the naira-for-crude agreement.

On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council, after an initial delay, directed the full implementation of the suspended Naira-for-Crude agreement with local refiners.

It said the initiative with local refineries is not a temporary measure but a “key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining.

”The Ministry of Finance disclosed this in a statement published on its official X handle titled, “Update on the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira Initiative.”

The statement was released following a meeting on Tuesday between the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and representatives from Dangote Refinery, a major beneficiary of the agreement, to review progress and address ongoing implementation matters.

The committee said the policy is not temporary but a long-term plan to cut Nigeria’s dependence on foreign exchange for petroleum.

It added that the initiative is not a temporary or time-bound intervention but a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining and bolster energy security.

The statement read, “The Technical Sub-Committee on the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative convened an update meeting on Tuesday to review progress and address ongoing implementation matters.

“The stakeholders reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to the full implementation of this strategic initiative, as directed by the Federal Executive Council.

“Thus, the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative is not a temporary or time-bound intervention, but a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining, bolster energy security, and reduce reliance on foreign exchange in the domestic petroleum market.”

Oil marketers have stated that Nigerians will soon heave a sigh of relief as the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, will drastically reduce due to the continuation of crude and refined product sales in the naira initiative by the Federal Government.

They also stated that a major player in the sector, Dangote Refinery, is anticipated to lower its petrol loading costs by the end of this week, further contributing to the reduction in fuel prices.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chinedu Ukadike, reassured the public of the forthcoming price drop while commenting on the Federal Executive Council’s directive regarding the naira-for-crude agreement, announced on Wednesday.

The official, however, couldn’t project the expected amount as the price at which the government will sell its products remains unclear.

This was as the National Publicity Secretary of Crude Oil Refinery-owners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, emphasised the need for greater involvement of other local refiners in the initiative, stressing that broader participation would enhance the economic benefits and strengthen the impact of the deal.

On Wednesday, the Federal Executive Council, after an initial delay, directed the full implementation of the suspended Naira-for-Crude agreement with local refiners.

It said the initiative with local refineries is not a temporary measure but a “key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining.”

The Ministry of Finance disclosed this in a statement published on its official X handle titled, “Update on the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira Initiative.”

The statement was released following a meeting on Tuesday between the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and representatives from Dangote Refinery, a major beneficiary of the agreement, to review progress and address ongoing implementation matters.

The meeting was attended by Edun, the Chairman of the Implementation Committee; the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; the Chief Financial Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Dapo Segun; the Coordinator of NNPC Refineries; Management of NNPC Trading; representatives of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.

Also present were representatives of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigerian Ports Authority, Afreximbank, and the Secretary of the Committee, Hauwa Ibrahim.

As part of moves to reduce the strain on the US dollar and guarantee price stability of petroleum products, the FEC in July 2024 directed the national oil company to sell crude oil to Dangote Refinery in naira and not in United States’ greenback for an initial phase of six months.

The sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in naira to local refineries commenced on October 1, 2024 to improve supply, save the country millions of dollars in petroleum products imports, and ultimately reduce pump prices.

However, in March, Dangote refinery said it had temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in naira. The refinery said the decision to halt sales in naira was “necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars”.

Immediately after the announcement, private depot owners effected an increase in loading cost and effectively raised pump price from around N860 to about N960 per litre, making consumers pay at least N70 more than what it used to cost them to buy a litre of the premium commodity days earlier.

But in a fresh update on Wednesday, the committee said the policy is not temporary but a long-term plan to cut Nigeria’s dependence on foreign exchange for petroleum.

It added that the initiative is not a temporary or time-bound intervention but a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining and bolster energy security.

The statement read, “The Technical Sub-Committee on the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative convened an update meeting on Tuesday to review progress and address ongoing implementation matters.

“The stakeholders reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to the full implementation of this strategic initiative, as directed by the Federal Executive Council.“

Thus, the Crude and Refined Product Sales in Naira initiative is not a temporary or time-bound intervention, but a key policy directive designed to support sustainable local refining, bolster energy security, and reduce reliance on foreign exchange in the domestic petroleum market.”

The policy, which mandates the transaction of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira, is aimed at strengthening the country’s economic sovereignty, enhancing local refining capacity, and stabilising the foreign exchange market by reducing the demand for dollars in domestic petroleum transactions.

The ministry explained that this policy is structured to foster energy security and encourage investment in domestic refining infrastructure.

While acknowledging that the transition involves complexities, the government admitted that existing challenges are being systematically addressed.

“As with any major policy shift, the committee acknowledges that implementation challenges may arise from time to time.“

However, such issues are being actively addressed through coordinated efforts among all parties. The initiative remains in effect and will continue for as long as it aligns with the public interest and supports national economic objectives,” the statement concluded.

Commenting, industry players said the resumption of Naira-denominated crude sales would reduce the strain on the US dollar and guarantee the price stability of petroleum products.

The IPMAN national publicity secretary, in his expert opinion, welcomed the recent development, noting that it reflects the President’s willingness to listen to stakeholders, which is a positive sign for the country’s energy sector. He said the deal was always expected to be implemented.

Ukadike said, “We have always mentioned that the deal was definitely going to be implemented. We don’t know the details of the new agreement.

IPMAN welcomes the latest development and it shows Mr. President has listening ears with this kind of output from the government. It shows that inputs from individuals and stakeholders matter a lot.

The policy doesn’t deter anyone who wants to import petroleum products. But the most important thing is that they should go ahead and ensure that the conclusion affects prices in the market.

“With this new decision taken by the government, I also believe earnestly that just with the complaint of marketers crying of huge losses caused by a sudden drop in price. Their plea is also yielding fruit.”

He added that with the positive development and recent fall in the price of crude, the 650,000 is poised to reduce its loading price downward before the end of the current week.

“I believe that from now till the end of the week, the Dangote refinery will come up with a new price. They can’t complain of having old stock because that is not the best practice internationally.”