The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has dismissed circulating rumors suggesting a brewing conflict between its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike. On Monday, February 10, 2025, the Commission vehemently rejected the allegations, branding them as nothing more than “fake news” aimed at sowing discord within its leadership ranks.
In a statement issued to the press, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the Director of Corporate Affairs for NDDC, addressed the sensationalized claims head-on. The media reports, which emerged on various online platforms, purported that the ongoing “uproar” at the NDDC was linked to a power struggle over the MD position currently held by Ogbuku. However, Thompson-Wakama was quick to clarify that these allegations were entirely unfounded.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” she stated. “Dr. Ogbuku has a very cordial and professional relationship with Minister Wike, as well as with other key leaders in the Niger Delta region. These falsehoods are simply attempts by mischief-makers to stir unnecessary controversy and create confusion within the Commission.”
A Bid to Divide the NDDC Leadership
Thompson-Wakama went on to suggest that the rumors of infighting were part of a deliberate strategy by certain individuals who were dissatisfied with the ongoing changes at the NDDC. “We know these false stories are being propagated by individuals who are keen on undermining the progress being made by the Commission,” she explained.
According to the NDDC official, the aim of these fabricated reports was to create a rift between Ogbuku and Wike, thereby destabilizing the harmonious working environment at the Commission. In addition, the fake news narrative attempted to link the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, with the alleged internal conflict, further exacerbating the situation.
“Some of these same people are also spreading rumors about Chief James Ibori running for the MD position. None of this is true,” Thompson-Wakama clarified, dismissing such speculations as mere distractions.
A Four-Year Tenure for Ogbuku
The Corporate Affairs Director further clarified the misunderstanding surrounding Ogbuku’s tenure at the NDDC. Responding to claims that the MD’s term was nearing an end, Thompson-Wakama reassured stakeholders that the current board, appointed in August 2023, had a four-year mandate, in accordance with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Establishment Act.
“Dr. Ogbuku was reappointed for a four-year term, and this is legally backed,” she explained. “Section 4 of the NDDC Establishment Act stipulates that board members, excluding ex-officio members, hold office for an initial four-year term, with the possibility of reappointment for another four-year term. This dispels any confusion about his position.”
The assertion regarding Ogbuku’s reappointment is significant, particularly in the context of recent rumors about the possible early termination of the NDDC Board’s tenure. Thompson-Wakama stressed that such claims were baseless and sought only to derail the significant strides the Commission had been making under its current leadership.
The Pursuit of Development Despite Distractions
Despite the distractions caused by these rumors, Thompson-Wakama emphasized the NDDC’s continued focus on its mission: improving the lives of people in the Niger Delta. She noted that the Commission had been diligently working on several groundbreaking projects and policies, with many set to be inaugurated in the coming week.
“The team at NDDC is committed to improving efficiency, increasing accountability, and engaging actively with stakeholders. Our focus remains on sustainable development in the Niger Delta region,” she affirmed. “We won’t allow these false narratives to take away from the real work that is being done.”
In recent months, the NDDC has introduced a series of reforms to streamline its processes and boost transparency. This includes leveraging technology to ensure that development projects are executed with higher levels of accountability. Thompson-Wakama pointed out that these reforms had already begun to yield positive results, with several major infrastructural projects in the pipeline.
“Under the leadership of Dr. Ogbuku, the NDDC is setting a new standard for service delivery. The Niger Delta region has long suffered from a lack of effective leadership and transparent governance, but this Board is changing that narrative,” she said.
Enemies of Progress?
However, the director did not shy away from calling out what she described as “enemies of progress” within the Niger Delta. She accused these detractors of trying to undermine the Commission’s work by spreading false rumors about internal disputes and leadership instability.
“The people behind these lies are doing so because they cannot tolerate the harmony within the NDDC and the strides we are making toward improving the region. They are motivated by selfish interests, and their actions are detrimental to the future of the Niger Delta,” Thompson-Wakama charged.
She added that the continued sabotage of the NDDC’s efforts was hurting the people of the region, and it was vital for well-meaning Nigerians to stand firm against these attempts to derail progress.
“It is high time we recognize that a destabilized NDDC is a major setback for the entire region,” Thompson-Wakama said. “Development cannot happen in an environment of constant disruption and infighting.”
Call for Unity
In her closing remarks, Thompson-Wakama called for unity among the people of the Niger Delta, urging them to support the Commission’s initiatives and ignore the malicious rumors being spread. She expressed confidence that the current leadership, led by Dr. Ogbuku, was fully committed to fulfilling the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to uplift the region.
“The NDDC Board and management are unwavering in our commitment to serving the people of the Niger Delta,” she concluded. “We will continue to focus on development and will not be distracted by the attempts of a few to reverse the progress we’ve made. Their agenda will fail, and the people of the Niger Delta will benefit from the work we are doing.”
