Tension After Raid on Sylva’s Home
The October 25 raid on former Minister of State for Petroleum Timipre Sylva’s Abuja residence continues to ripple through the Niger Delta.
His aide and driver remain in custody weeks after the operation, which military sources claim was linked to “disciplinary breaches.”
Sylva’s spokesman Julius Bokoru condemned the raid, denying any link to coup allegations reported by SaharaReporters.
“The military damaged property and made arrests without justification. This is pure political mischief,” Bokoru said.
Niger Delta Leaders Close Ranks Around Ogbuku
Following the raid, ex-agitators and traditional leaders under the Critical Ex-Agitators Stakeholders Coalition declared solidarity with NDDC MD Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, calling him “the best-performing managing director in the Commission’s history.”
Pioneer agitator Nature Kieghe urged unity:
“We can’t keep fighting ourselves and expect development. Ogbuku’s leadership is result-driven and transparent.”
They praised his Light Up Niger Delta Project and cited over 311 completed projects across the region in one year.
Stabilising the Delta Narrative
Analysts note that Ogbuku’s ability to maintain public trust amid political turbulence has strengthened the NDDC’s image.
Niger Delta governors and community chiefs reportedly favour continuity in his leadership to prevent disruptions to ongoing projects.
“The Commission is finally functioning as it should,” said development consultant Tare Idowu. “This is a moment for focus, not faction.”
Development, Trust, and Federal Backing
NDDC’s visible performance has improved investor confidence, particularly in power, water, and renewable projects.
President Tinubu’s tacit support for Ogbuku’s leadership suggests an alignment between federal and regional development agendas.
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