A group, Nigerians for Good Governance (NGG), has called for clarification over the relationship between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, and Susan Waibode, following what it described as promotional materials linking her activities to the minister.

In a statement attributed to its Chairman, Emmanuel Thomas, the group claimed that Waibode was no longer married to Lokpobiri and questioned materials that reportedly identified her as “Hon. Mrs. Susan Waibode Heineken Lokpobiri” and as the minister’s wife.

The Guardian has not independently verified the group’s claim about the current status of the marriage.

Recent publicly available reports have continued to identify Waibode as Lokpobiri’s wife. In July 2026, reports by the News Agency of Nigeria and Voice of Nigeria described her as the wife of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) during coverage of the Women of Wonders Africa Leadership Excellence Awards and Summit.

NGG, however, argued that the use of Lokpobiri’s name in connection with Waibode’s activities could create confusion if there had been a change in their marital relationship.

The group also cautioned members of the public against assuming that Waibode’s private, political or charitable activities carried the endorsement or authorisation of the minister or the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

“We believe members of the public and political associates of the minister have a right to know whether an individual claiming an association with a serving public official has any current official relationship or mandate,” Thomas said.

The group urged individuals and organisations to independently verify any claim of official representation or endorsement before entering into transactions on the assumption that they had been authorised by the minister.

NGG specifically referred to the Reaching Every Adult and Child Foundation, an organisation associated with Waibode.

Public records show that Waibode has been involved in charitable activities for several years.

In a 2016 interview with The Guardian, she documented her involvement in initiatives supporting women, children and other vulnerable people.

NGG maintained that dealings with Waibode or organisations associated with her should not, without evidence of authorisation, be interpreted as dealings with Lokpobiri or the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Thomas said the group’s intervention was intended to prevent what it described as possible confusion arising from the use of the minister’s name and public office in connection with private activities.

The statement did not provide documentary evidence establishing that Waibode and Lokpobiri had legally ended their marriage.

It also did not cite evidence showing that Waibode had represented herself as an agent of the minister or the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, beyond the group’s concerns about the manner in which she was reportedly described in promotional materials.

As of the time of filing this report, The Guardian had not independently established whether the promotional materials cited by NGG were produced or authorised by Waibode herself. The Guardian also reached out to obtain responses from Waibode and Lokpobiri.