Ogbuku Decries Speculations Alleging His Arrest Was Orchestrated by Governor Diri

Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has issued a strong rebuttal to recent media reports implying that his alleged arrest was linked to Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.

In a statement released on October 31, 2025, Ogbuku’s office dismissed the rumours as baseless and misleading, urging the public and press to disregard unsupported allegations According to the statement signed by Dr. Willie Etim, Ogbuku’s Special Adviser on Media, the suggestion of a strained relationship between the NDDC boss and Governor Diri “is both mischievous and unnecessary.” Ogbuku insisted that remarks made by certain individuals concerning Bayelsa politics should be interpreted strictly as personal opinions and must not be taken as reflective of his own position or that of his office The rumours began circulating on social media and were picked up by several news outlets. They claimed that security operatives had acted on information allegedly tied to the governor, which in turn fueled whisperings of an unofficial detention. However, Ogbuku’s team has categorically denied any involvement by the governor, describing the attribution as inaccurate and harmful to his integrity Ogbuku’s statement further warns that he is prepared to pursue legal remedies if defamatory content continues to be published. He called on journalists, civil society groups, and political stakeholders to show greater restraint in disseminating unverified or inflammatory claims that could heighten political tension within the All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State. Observers note that the incident highlights the speed with which rumours can gain traction online — especially in politically charged environments — and underscores the urgent need for media professionalism and fact-checking before publication.