Politics
Samuel Ogbuku’s Arrest: Fake News, Speculative, Handiwork of Fifth Columnist – Kpokpogri*
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The Chairman of the Anti Corruption and Integrity Forum, and publisher of Integrity Watchdog Magazine, Comrade Prince Kpokpogri has called on the public to disregard the news that the Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku was arrested over failed plot to topple the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as a fake news, speculative and handiwork of a fifth columnist.
Prince Kpokpogri gave this caution in a press release where he said he was speaking as a concerned citizen over the spate of falsehood being peddled by Nigerians without cross-checking or fact-checking information before getting involved.
He asked, “When has being interrogated amount to being arrested in a sane environment where people do not read meanings into the professional routine job of security agencies? When has it become a crime to answer questions as a friend to a suspect undergoing investigation?
He further asked, “Who is actually afraid of Samuel Ogbuku over the next Bayelsa State Governorship election that he has not even declared his intentions for?”
Comrade Kpokpogri, however, maintained that Samuel Ogbuku being close to Timipre Sylva does not in any way present him as having a hand in the coup plot for which Timipre Sylva had been allegedly fingered.
He added that the security agencies reserve the right to ask Timipre Sylva’s friends questions after raiding his house in Abuja, but that should not in any way be misconstrued to mean that the NDDC helmsman was arrested in connection to any coup plot.
His words, “Let it be noted that I am not speaking as a media aide or friend to Samuel Ogbuku. I am only speaking as a concerned citizen of Nigeria. My issue here basically, is the peddling of falsehood and capitalizing on a sad event at the national space to begin to denigrate and malign one of the most patriotic Nigerians and unarguably the best administrator Niger Deltans have ever had as MD of NDDC.
“Without mincing words, Samuel Ogbuku is the best that has happened to Niger Delta in recent times. When you check the history of the Niger Delta Development Commission since inception, Samuel Ogbuku is the only MD that has carried the people along, spread contracts to not a few and unqualified people; his performance is top-notch and achievements widely spread.
“Nobody should begin to use the circumstances of an allegation against his former boss to want to stain him. So far, he has proven the integrity and transparency that were needed to run an organisation such as NDDC”, Kpokpogri posited.
Furthermore on the alleged #45 billion traced to Timipre Sylva’s account, Kpokpogri said, “If Timipre Sylva was allegedly paid as reported by the Punch Newspapers, I think the Management Board of the NDDC acted in good faith without allegedly knowing his agenda. He is a contractor to NDDC just like every other contractor working for the Commission; what he uses his money for, is strictly his own question to answer. He handles the Shoreline Protection project for the NDDC from my understanding, and he was allegedly paid from the NDDC account. The Commission is not administered by one person but a team that was constituted into a Management Board”, Kpokpogri added.
Politics
ADC Verdict: A Defining Moment for Unity and Democratic Stability
By HallowMace Foundation Africa
At HallowMace, we view the recent judgment delivered by the Supreme Court as more than just a legal resolution, it is a critical intervention that has preserved the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process and averted a looming political crisis in Nigeria.
From our standpoint as a platform committed to democratic values, good governance, accountability, and Parliamentary advocacy, this ruling stands as a powerful reaffirmation of the judiciary’s role as the ultimate stabilizer in moments of political uncertainty.
At a time when internal divisions within the ADC had reached a boiling point, threatening both party cohesion and broader democratic confidence, the Supreme Court stepped in with clarity, authority, and finality.
This is what a functioning democracy should look like.
Beyond Judgment: The Burden of Leadership.
However, while the court has provided a pathway forward, the responsibility of consolidation now rests squarely on the shoulders of political leadership. At HallowMace, we strongly urge the party’s executive leadership under David Mark to recognize the weight of this moment and act decisively.
This is not a time for quiet celebration, it is a time for deliberate reconciliation.
The fractures within the ADC, though significant, are not beyond repair. What is required now is intentional bridge-building: engaging aggrieved factions, fostering open dialogue, and demonstrating a genuine commitment to inclusivity.
A reconciliatory framework anchored on trust, fairness, and collective interest must be urgently established.
Anything short of this risks undermining the very relief that this judgment has provided.
2027 in Focus: Unity as Strategy, Not Slogan.
Looking ahead, the 2027 general elections are no longer distant, they are approaching with increasing political momentum. For the ADC, this ruling offers a rare opportunity to reset, reorganize, and reposition.
But let’s be clear, electoral success will not be built on legal victories alone.
At HallowMace, we believe that unity must move beyond rhetoric and become a strategic foundation. A divided party cannot inspire national confidence, nor can it effectively challenge entrenched political structures. If the ADC is to emerge as a credible force, it must first put its internal house in order.
This means strengthening grassroots structures, harmonizing leadership interests, and articulating a clear, people-centered vision that resonates with Nigerians across all demographics.
A Moment That Must Not Be Wasted.
This is a defining moment not just for the ADC, but for Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. The Supreme Court has done its part in safeguarding constitutional order. What follows now will determine whether this intervention translates into lasting political progress or becomes yet another missed opportunity.
At HallowMace, we maintain that history often remembers not just the crises a system faces, but how its leaders respond in moments of resolution.
The path forward is clear: unity, responsibility, and strategic action.
Nigeria is watching.
The world is watching.
Amb. Anderson Osiebe
Executive Director
HallowMace Foundation Africa
God bless Nigeria!
Politics
Unaccounted N210trillion : Kyari , Ajia , Wunti reach out to Senate Panel ….Threatens Ojulari again with Warrant of Arrest
By George Mgbeleke
Having failed severally to appear before Senate Committee on Public Accounts for explanations on yet to be accounted N210trillion in the audit reports of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPCL), from 2017 to 2023, its immediate past management , reached out to the committee on Wednesday.
The Committee led by Senator Aliyu Wadada Ahmed ( Nasarawa West), however , threatened to issue warrant of arrest against the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engineer Bayo Ojulari , if he fails to appear before it on May 13, 2026 , rescheduled for another investigative session with the affected officers .
At the session on Wednesday, the immediate past Chief Finance Officer of NNPCL, Umar Ajia was physically present and handed copies of the audit reports containing queries on the unaccounted N210trillion after being put on oath .
Though the immediate past GCEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer , Bala Wunti , did not attend the session physically but reach out to the committee on phone about their readiness to appear before it .
Kyari as disclosed by the Committee Chairman , called him before the session while Wunti called Senator Abdul Ningi ( Bauchi Central) , that he would surely make himself available at next sitting of the committee .
Earlier at the commencement of the Session , the Chairman of the committee frowned at the letter written to the committee by current GCEO of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari used to explain his absence .
He pointedly told the Chief Relations Officer , Morenike Adewumi who signed the letter dated 29th April 2026 , the very day of the session that , if Ojulari fails to appear on 13th of next month before the committee by 3:00pm, warrant of arrest would be issued against him .
” Ojulari must appear before this committee at the next session , failure which will lead to his being brought before us by force “, he said .
Also expressing his displeasure on repeated failure of Ojulari to appear before the committee, Senator Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo North ) said it was totally disrespectful for the NNPC GCEO to present a letter signed by his subordinate for explanation on his physical absence at the session .
” What cannot be explained must be deemed to have been stolen . It is totally disrespectful for the NNPCL GCEO , to send a letter signed by his subordinate to this committee for explanation on wilful absence .
” He needs to be put to where he belongs because If there is no Nigeria , there can be NNPCL , let alone its GCEO”, he thundered .
The committee consequently sent the Chief Relations Officer, Morenike Adewumi and Financial Controller , Tajudeen Kareem to Ojulari on the need for him to appear before it unfailingly on the 13th of next month .
It also directed the two officials to make available, copies of Audit reports of NNPCL to Kyari and Wunti before the next session .
Politics
INEC Erred in presenting an Expelled member as Our National Chairman-SDP ..Says Dr Gombe remains Our National Chairman -Rolls out 2027 Election Guidelines
By George Mgbeleke
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for uploading from its website the name of its expelled former National Chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam as the party’s National Chairman, categorically noting that Dr Abubakar Sadiq Gombe remains SDP authentic National Chairman.
Making this declaration at a Press conference held at the party’s National Secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja, National Chairman, Dr Abubakar Sadiq Gombe said INEC presumably erred in uploading the name of his predecessor,Shehu Musa Gabam who was expelled by the highest organ of the party NEC based on gross financial misappropriation and malfeasance.
He said,”As a matter of fact, Shehu Musa Gabam is no longer a member of the Social Democratic Party, having been duly expelled from the SDP, and the expulsion was formally ratified by the NEC of the party on March 9, 2026, having being earlier suspended on 24 June 2025, for gross financial misappropriation and malfeasance, investigated by a duly constituted Panel of Enquiry, and found guilty and reported to the Police.
“He was later expelled from the Party on 23 October 2025, and his expulsion was ratified by the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at its meeting of 9 March 2026, which was monitored by INEC Team.
“The SDP will not join issues with an expelled member, more so, considering that Shehu Musa Gabam is facing criminal proceedings for his misappropriation of our party’s funds and for gross abuse of office.
On the preparation for 2027 election, the Chairman declared the party guidelines for the 2027 general elections, saying “we are starting Our Congresses from the 1st day of May to 5th starting with the Ward Congresses,state Congresses, Zonal and rounding it up with National Convention which is going to take place on the 9th of May at Abauchi state.
The party he said will sale forms for governorship, State Assemblies,House of Representatives and Senate and lastly Presidential election.
On the resolution of the opposition parties to present a common presidential candidate to contest the 2027 election, Dr Gombe said SDP will present it own presidential candidate independently, noting that has taken that decision and is working for its realization.
“The party is set to go into the 2027 general elections noting that the party has been busy with preparations for 2027 elections. We will not be distracted by whatever. We are focused, our eyes are on the ball and nothing more.
He noted that internal issues of political parties should be the responsibility of the party to take care off. “Parties should be allowed to handle its internal affairs and we are fully incharge of our internal affairs.We are set and not distracted.”
Meanwhile, former deputy governor of Nasarawa State who doubled as former Minister of Information, Ibrahim Maku who came into the venue of the Press Conference identified himself as a member of the party congratulated the leadership of the party for standing tall despite all distractions.
He assured the leadership that Nasarawa State will embrace the party enmass and give it all support in the girthcoming general elections.
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