Ogbuku arrest rumour baseless– Kpokpogri exposes fifth columnists

The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum and publisher of Integrity Watchdog Magazine, Comrade Prince Kpokpogri, has debunked reports alleging that the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, was arrested over a failed coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, describing the claim as fake, speculative, and the handiwork of fifth columnists.

In a strongly worded press statement, Kpokpogri urged Nigerians to disregard the rumour, warning that such falsehoods were part of a growing trend of misinformation deliberately spread to discredit public figures. He said he was speaking as a concerned citizen disturbed by how “falsehood is being peddled without verification or fact-checking.”

“When has being interrogated amounted to being arrested in a sane environment where people do not read meanings into the professional routine job of security agencies?” he asked. “When has it become a crime to answer questions as a friend to a suspect undergoing investigation?”

Kpokpogri further wondered, “Who is actually afraid of Samuel Ogbuku over the next Bayelsa State governorship election that he has not even declared his intentions for?” suggesting that political motives might be behind the rumour.

He clarified that Ogbuku’s closeness to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, should not be twisted to imply any involvement in the alleged coup plot. According to him, it is within the rights of security agencies to invite individuals linked to an investigation without such acts being exaggerated as arrests.

“Let it be noted that I am not speaking as a media aide or friend to Samuel Ogbuku,” Kpokpogri said. “My concern is the peddling of falsehood and capitalizing on a national event to malign one of the most patriotic Nigerians and unarguably the best administrator the Niger Delta has ever had as MD of the NDDC.”

He praised Ogbuku’s record in the Commission, describing him as “the best that has happened to the Niger Delta in recent times.” According to him, “When you check the history of the NDDC since inception, Ogbuku is the only MD that has carried the people along, spread contracts fairly, and delivered results that are visible and impactful.”

Reacting to the alleged ₦45 billion traced to Timipre Sylva’s account, Kpokpogri explained that the payment was tied to a legitimate NDDC contract. “If Timipre Sylva was allegedly paid as reported, I think the Management Board of the NDDC acted in good faith without allegedly knowing his agenda. He is a contractor to NDDC like every other contractor. What he uses his money for is his own question to answer,” he noted.

Kpokpogri warned that fabricating stories to smear credible public servants could discourage progress in the Niger Delta. He urged Nigerians to prioritize truth over sensationalism and resist being used as tools by political actors bent on character assassination.