The Niger Delta Progressive Youths Forum (NDPYF) has raised concerns over what it describes as a coordinated media campaign aimed at tarnishing the image of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
According to the group, the campaign appears to be sponsored by individuals opposed to Ogbuku's leadership and growing popularity.
They alleged that the detractors are spreading false reports online, claiming that Ogbuku is secretly backing a supposed 2027 presidential ambition of former President Goodlucku Jonathan.
The reports, which have appeared on several unfamiliar news platforms, allege that the NDDC bought a property in Yenagoa from Jonathan to use as its office — supposedly to financially support the former president’s rumored political plans. But the NDPYF dismissed these claims as baseless and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its President-General, Dr. Theo Isidore, the group said: “The publication is clearly the work of those seeking to damage Dr. Ogbuku’s reputation in the eyes of President Tinubu.”
Describing the reports as "fake news," Isidore said they were designed to create division and distract Ogbuku from the developmental work he is doing in the Niger Delta. He added that there is no evidence to support the claims, noting that neither Jonathan nor Ogbuku has shown any interest in contesting elections.
“In fact, Dr. Patience Jonathan recently said her husband has no plans to run for office again, and that she is instead supporting the current administration,” Isidore added. “As for Dr. Ogbuku, he has made it clear that his focus is on delivering President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the NDDC.”
The group also clarified that the building currently used as the NDDC office in Yenagoa does not belong to Jonathan, contrary to what the reports suggest.
Isidore criticized the reports as being “poorly written and lacking credibility,” noting that the authors did not reveal their identities or seek confirmation from anyone at the NDDC.
“It’s suspicious that the same false information is spreading rapidly across various blogs, all repeating the same claims,” he said. “This shows it is a deliberate plot by those threatened by Ogbuku’s achievements.”
The group called on security agencies to investigate and bring those behind the false reports to justice. They also passed a vote of confidence in Ogbuku, saying the commission under his leadership has delivered more progress than it has seen in years.
They urged the public to disregard the publications and continue supporting the NDDC’s development efforts in the region.
