Hopes of Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, Nigeria’s Minister of petroleum resources being named the first ever female Secretary-General (SG) of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) dimmed Wednesday.
Recall we had reported earlier, that the Federal Government had nominated her for the exalted position, in anticipation of the expiration of the term of the incumbent, Abdullah al-Badri.
But at a meeting held yesterday, the term of Abdullah was extended for another six months, December 2014 to June 30, 2015.
Nigeria had nominated Alison-Madueke to succeed al-Badri, to capitalize on the deadlock over the post created by opposing candidates from Saudi Arabia and Iran. With this extension, there may be room for a consensus agreement by disagreeing factions for the post, scheming out Alison-Madueke whose candidature was based on the discord.
The decision to extend the tenure of the incumbent , thus making him the longest serving SG was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a 12-body meeting, which also fixed the next ordinary meeting of the organisation , the 166th, for November 27, 2014.