Groups in the Niger Delta have raised alarm saying underground efforts were underway to undermine the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by creating instability in the leadership of the commission.
One of the groups known as FactCheckers led by Dave Ikiedei Asei said in a statement on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, that it was not true that Samuel Ogbuku, the managing director, was sponsoring any presidential candidate whatsoever, let alone sponsoring Goodluck Jonathan.
The group said those behind the rumour through social media ranting were unhappy that Ogbuku has thrown his entire weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for 2027.
The groups were reacting to a social media publication claiming Ogbuku through the NDDC bought a mansion in Yenagoa belonging to Jonathan to serve as the office of the Commission in Bayelsa State, the ex-president’s state, saying the motive was to help Jonathan raise campaign funds for 2027.
The rumour also claimed that three billionaire businessmen and a serving senator from the north have pledged to raise funds alongside Ogbuku, for the return of Jonathan.
Reacting, several groups debunked the insinuation, saying the plan was to rock the boat of NDDC by creating bad blood between President Tinubu’s camp and the NDDC leadership.
Some groups had opposed the reappointment of Ogbuku as CEO of the NDDC. This did not succeed. Now, groups defending the MD said the plot is by those who had been fighting against the stability in the Commission.
In a rebuttal, the FactCheckers, who also go by the name, Niger Delta Progress Reporters, said deep checks confirm that the NDDC was not clandestinely sponsoring a supposed 2027 presidential ambition of Jonathan, the former President.
The statement said: “Following weeks of tracking publications, verifying official statements, and cross-checking various media sources, we found no credible evidence to support these claims. This statement serves to formally rebut and dismiss the allegation as baseless, politically motivated, and damaging to public discourse.”
They said they made major findings one of which was that no credible national publication has reported any link between Ogbuku and any form of political sponsorship for Jonathan.
The groups said Ogbuku has already publicly declared support for President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, not any alternative candidacy. “Former President Jonathan’s media team has repeatedly denied all claims relating to a 2027 political ambition. Campaign posters in Kano and elsewhere have been described as mischievous and unauthorized.
“Investigative reports and fact-checks by reputable media outfits reveal zero connection between the two men regarding any 2027 political maneuvering.”
The report drew the conclusion that those who could not stop the MD’s confirmation or reappointment may have decided to attack the political link between the NDDC leadership and the Presidency, hoping it would create enough bad blood to cause the MD of NDDC his job or the warmth he enjoyed in the presidency.
They warned Niger Delta leaders and the people not to allow mischief makers to use them to create problems in the region in the run-in to the 2027 elections.
Ogbuku was said to have as recent as last Tuesday evening addressed a group of visitors how the supporting President Tinubu to continue defending the economy would be the best thing by Nigerians. He is said to have hinted that with daily oil production rising to 2mbpd, naira being stabilized, forex being backed by single window, and inflation rushing back to below 20% from 34%, it would be wise for President Tinubu to be allowed to continue beyond 2027.
