By Passman Akpos
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku (PhD), has dissociated himself from a recent media report alleging that his rumoured arrest was linked to the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Dr Willie Etim, Dr Ogbuku described the report as false, misleading, and mischievous, emphasizing that there is no rift or rivalry between him and the Bayelsa State Governor.
He condemned, in strong terms, the publication credited to a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which attempted to create the impression of political tension between himself and Governor Diri.
> “There is no rivalry in the APC family in Bayelsa State,” the statement clarified, urging members of the public and political commentators to refrain from spreading unverified information.
Dr Ogbuku also stressed that any political comments or opinions made by individuals in Bayelsa State should be seen as personal views, and not reflective of his position or that of the NDDC.
He further described the attempt to link Governor Diri to political controversies or rumours of arrest as “unnecessary and unhelpful”, noting that such reports were capable of breeding disunity and misunderstanding among stakeholders in the state.
> “We sincerely apologize for any embarrassment these publications may have caused the Governor,” the statement continued, calling on all APC members and the general public to exercise restraint in public commentary, particularly when such statements could mislead the public or misrepresent facts.
The statement reaffirmed Dr Ogbuku’s commitment to peace, unity, and development in the Niger Delta region, urging all parties to focus on collaboration rather than conflict.
