Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has expressed confidence that former Governor James Ibori will defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Oborevwori spoke on Tuesday during a vigil mass at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Otu-Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area. 

The mass was held in honour of Amos Utuama, a former Deputy Governor, who died at 77.

Speaking at the event, Oborevwori emphasised the need for political unity within the state, saying the political family founded by Ibori had become scattered.

“We can only say the truth. If you are sentimental, the family will break, the centre cannot hold,” he said.

He revealed that he had directly asked Ibori when he plans to join the APC, expressing optimism that the former Governor would soon make the move.

“I asked him, ‘when are you going to join us?’ And I know he will join us very soon in the APC. I will receive our leader in Jesus’ name,” Oborevwori said.

Addressing Ibori directly, the Governor added, “You have created a big family and the family needs to be united.”

In December 2024, Ibori’s daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, a member of the House of Representatives, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

Oborevwori, with other PDP heavyweights in Delta, joined the APC on April 23.

Aside from the Group Managing Directors of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS),  Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries that were relieved of their duties yesterday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has also asked over 200 staff with a year to retirement to quit.

A reliable insider source  in the NNPCL revealed to The Nation on Wednesday morning that the comprehensive list of the affected staff was not available yet.

He however noted that the affected ones know themselves. 

His words: “What happened is that apart from Bala Wunti and the three GMDs of the refineries, NNPCL asked staff who have just one year in service to retire.”

NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, didn’t pick calls from The Nation to confirm the report.

But speaking with The Nation on the condition of anonymity, the insider source in NNPCL said:  “Bala Wunti was not sacked but retired. He was also due to retire next year.” 

The NNPCL Chief Executive Officer Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari was said to have sacked Wunti and Onoja in his reshuffling of the management of the company.

Ojulari had a few days after assumption of office made some similar changes.

On April 4,  he announced the appointment of an eight- man management team.

Troops of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army led by the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Ebenezer Oduyebo, have uncovered a massive crime and ritual syndicate’s hideout in Benin City, Edo State. 

Acting on a tip-off, the troops stormed a building within First Bank Estate, called Awesome Garden, located along the Benin-Sapele By-Pass in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the State, where they arrested 31 suspects and rescued victims of a bizarre cybercrime and ritual-related criminal enterprise. 

Those arrested were handed over to the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further interrogation and prosecution.

Items recovered from the scene included a Toyota model vehicle, several smartphones, laptop computers, cash, a pot, fetish materials, and other incriminating items linked to ritual and cybercrime activities.

Already, preliminary investigations revealed that many of the suspects were lured to the location by the syndicate’s leader, identified as Mr. Marvin Osabhuoyen, who is currently on the run.

He was said to have promised his victims lucrative job offers abroad, only to force them into a web of criminal operations, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and cyber fraud.

Many of the victims were are from different parts of the country and had been detained in the building for periods ranging between one and two years without freedom of movement, living under fear and manipulation.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Oduyebo has commended the troops and other sister security agencies for their bravery, vigilance, and continued commitment to keeping Edo State free from criminal elements.

“The Brigade remains fully committed to its mission of ensuring safety and security for all residents of Edo State. This operation is a clear warning to criminal syndicates that their days are numbered,” he declared.

Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed regret over his decision to run as the vice-presidential candidate alongside Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, admitting it may have contradicted the wishes of his people.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Okowa described his acceptance of the role as a misalignment with the prevailing sentiments in Delta State—an issue he said he has deeply reflected upon.

He offered insights into his political decisions, the internal shifts within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the growing support among Delta stakeholders for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While defending his record in office, including infrastructure achievements, free maternal and child healthcare, and the performance of his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Okowa acknowledged that joining Atiku’s ticket in 2023 came at a significant political cost.

“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power.

“But the decision had already been taken at the federal level by the party, and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people,” he declared.

He linked the PDP’s failure in Delta during the presidential poll to that sentiment, acknowledging that while he ran out of loyalty to his party, the south was interested in producing President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.

However, Okowa was quick to point out that the tide turned just three weeks later in the governorship election, where PDP triumphed in 21 out of the 25 local governments.

“That showed the people still believed in us, believed in me. They said you’ve done well, and we will support the governor you have chosen.’ And they did,” he said.

On insinuations that his defection was to have his ‘sins forgiven,’ Okowa maintained that there were no sins to be given as he had not committed any, adding that he was never arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but only honoured an invitation by the commission.

Okowa said: “I did well for the people of the state. Petitions can be written by anybody, but whatever petitions are written, the right of investigation is with the EFCC.

“So, there are no fears concerning that at all. And I have never spoken to Adams Oshiomole; we talked for the first time only yesterday because we are of different political parts and because we are of different political parts we were not friends perse.”Political party merchandise

He defended his defection not as a personal political maneuver but as the result of extensive consultations across Delta State, adding that continued opposition politics had placed the state at a disadvantage in terms of federal access and influence.

Addressing the moral arguments against his defection to the APC, after serving in multiple positions under PDP, Okowa said he owes no one an apology.

“Yes, I was a key player in the PDP from the formative stages, but the PDP of today is not the same party we built in 1998.

“When you find that the values and vision you once believed in are no longer there, then you step away,” he said.

The Presidency has debunked the widely circulated reports claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had sacked three Ministers, describing the story as a fabrication with no basis in fact.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga, on Tuesday night, expressed deep concern over the dangerous trend.

The erroneous reports, which quickly gained traction on social media, claimed that President Tinubu had dismissed the Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu; the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.  

Citing a non-existent statement allegedly issued by Onanuga, the reports misled the public and triggered widespread speculation.

Describing the development as not only irresponsible but dangerous to national stability, Onanuga called for decisive action against fake news merchants.

“Security agencies must urgently take action against fake news websites and platforms and the purveyors who fail to check the authenticity of the stories and make them go viral,” he said.

He emphasised that unchecked falsehoods pose a threat to democratic values and the integrity of the press, warning that freedoms must be exercised with responsibility.

“Press freedom and freedom of speech will not exist when some people can wake up and concoct their news and narratives without regard for truth.

“Fake news is simply licentiousness and must be criminalised,”Onanuga said.  

He urged media organisations to uphold the ethics of journalism by verifying information before publication and advised the public to rely on official sources for government-related updates.

As of the time of this report, all three ministers named in the false story continue to serve in their respective roles. 

The Presidency has made no official announcement regarding any cabinet reshuffle. 

The call for criminalising fake news is likely to spark national conversation about the balance between free expression and the regulation of harmful content online—a debate that continues to gain urgency in Nigeria’s evolving media landscape.

Former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has revealed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was on the verge of dumping the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), signalling a major realignment within Nigeria’s political landscape.

Speaking during a live interview on Arise News Channel on Tuesday morning, monitored by our correspondent, Okowa disclosed that the 2023 PDP presidential flagbearer was preparing to exit the party amidst ongoing disenchantment with its internal crises and lack of strategic direction.

“I discussed the coalition with Atiku, who is on his way out of the PDP, before we moved to the APC,” Okowa stated, confirming growing speculation about Atiku’s future with the opposition.

Okowa, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and other key PDP stakeholders in the State, explained that the decision followed months of intense consultations and reflection on the party’s dwindling prospects.

“We had various levels of meetings with several stakeholders, and even consulted some of our leaders who are not politicians before we came to this decision,” he said. “It was not just a decision of the governor or myself. It was the consensus of a broader political family in Delta.”

He cited the PDP’s internal disarray marked by leadership tussles, lack of unity, and absence of a coherent electoral strategy as key reasons behind the mass defection.

“It does not seem that a viable vehicle has been confirmed for that coalition, nor does it appear that a coalition could build strength in such a short period,” he added, distancing himself from the proposed grand opposition alliance being spearheaded by Atiku.

The former governor also threw his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration, advocating for a full eight-year tenure to maintain political balance and national stability.

“For the stability of this nation, it is best for us to have him complete his eight-year tenure. Then the presidency can move back to the North. I believe that is the right thing,” Okowa said.

Drawing from his time as a two-term opposition governor, Okowa noted the limitations faced when disconnected from federal power.

“We tried to do our best in the state. We could not lay our hands on a lot of things that would have benefited us at the federal level,” he said, justifying the move to the APC as a strategic effort to “reconnect Delta State with the corridors of power in Abuja” and attract federal investment and development opportunities.

Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has firmly debunked allegations made by the newly elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah, who accused him of leading thugs to disrupt the NANS inauguration in Abuja and threatening his life.

Isah had alleged in a phone interview with an online news platform that Seyi Tinubu attempted to stop the inauguration at The Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja, claiming the president’s son surrounded the venue with armed men, locked down the premises, and even stood outside his hotel room with the intention of murdering him.

But, reacting to the allegations on Tuesday via his official Instagram handle, Seyi Tinubu dismissed the claims as entirely baseless and defamatory. He wrote, “Enough is enough with these fake stories and defamation of my character.” The message was accompanied by a screenshot of the report, which he labelled as “fake news.” 

Sources close to the event said there was no credible evidence of Seyi’s presence at the venue, and guests reported no security breach or lockdown. Neither the hotel management nor law enforcement agencies confirmed any incident involving the president’s son. 

Meanwhile, Seyi Tinubu’s camp has signalled that legal steps may be taken if the defamation continues unchecked.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has sacked top officials of the national oil company, about 27 days after the exit of its erstwhile Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mele Kyari.

However, it was learnt that several other lower and middle class staff were also affected by the restructuring drive, which was first reported by an online newspaper yesterday.

Top among those departing immediately are the Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Services (NUIMS), Bala Wunti.

NUIMS is the investment management arm of the NNPC. It manages the Nigerian government’s investments in the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry, plus its equity holdings in Joint Venture (JV), Production Sharing Contract (PSC), and Service Contract (SC) companies.

Besides, NUIMS, a powerful unit in the company, oversees the Nigerian Petroleum Exchange (NipeX), an electronic platform for contracting in the upstream sector.

Others who were affected by the sackings included: The Managing Director of the Kaduna Refinery, Ibrahim Onoja as well the Chief Compliance Officer and former Managing Director of NNPC Trading, Lawal Sade.

But a source who confirmed the development to THISDAY, sought to downplay it, describing it as ‘routine’ and stressed that a number of those who were asked to leave their posts were already on their way out due to retirement; “Some people with 18 months to retirement were giving the option of early exit, other were giving lump sums to go while some were promoted to fill the vacant positions.”

Some have however insinuated that some of the firings  had do with  their closeness to the former GCEO Kyari who was fired by the President early this month.  Wunti, for instance, was particularly close to Kyari when he held sway at the oil company. Aside from the top officials who were asked to leave, over 200 other employees were impacted, THISDAY understood.

Furthermore, Maryam Idrisu has now taken over as Managing Director of NNPC Trading, the unit responsible for all crude oil transactions, while Obioma Abangwu is now  Chief Liaison Officer for board matters.

Apart from recent changes in the leadership of the company, the last time a mass purge took place was in September 2023, when the NNPC announced the exit of several employees and some management staff.

At the time, the company, in a statement,  said the reorganisation was in line with its commitment to scale up its capabilities “through targeted talent management and equal opportunity for all Nigerians”, noting that only staff members with less than 15 months to retirement will be affected.

Earlier in the month, President Bola Tinubu removed Kyari as the GCEO of NNPC, replacing him with Bayo Ojulari. He also dissolved the NNPC board and appointed a new 11-man board led by Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman.

Justice Olusola Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has convicted and sentenced Olaniyan Amos to 63 years in jail for multiple investment fraud.

Amos was convicted alongside his firm, Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited, on Monday.

They were prosecuted on 30-count charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Directorate, bordering on obtaining by false pretences, an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.

This was contained in a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Tuesday.

Count 21 of the charge reads, “That you Olaniyan Gbenga Amos and Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited on or about 18th of June, 2020, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N995, 000.00 from Bada Titilope, when you falsely represented to him that the money is meant for registration and investment with Crime Alert Security Network with a promise of 30% return on investment in six weeks (30 working days), which representations you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of obtaining money under false pretence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.”

Another charge reads, “That you Olaniyan Gbenga Amos and Detorrid Heritage Investment Limited on or about 29th of January, 2020, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N920, 000.00 from Onifade Isaac Olawale, when you falsely represented to him that the money is meant for registration and investment with Crime Alert Security Network with a promise of 30% return on Investment in six weeks (30 working days), which representations you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence of Obtaining Money under false pretence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

Upon his plea, the EFCC Counsel, Sanusi Galadanchi, opened the case on February 17, 2022 and called eight witnesses, tendered several exhibits marked “Exhibits A to H” and closed the case on January 24, 2023.

At the end of the prosecution’s case, the defendant filed a “no case submission” but was thrown out as the defendant was ordered by the court to enter his defence.

Subsequently, the defendant opened and closed its case on October 17th, 2024, where the first defendant testified for himself and on behalf of the 2nd defendant as a lone witness.

The court, after the presentation of the defendants’ case, adopted the final written addresses of both parties as judgment was reserved till April 28th, 2025.

At the resumption of the trial on Monday, April 28, 2025, Justice Adetujoye convicted and sentenced Amos to seven years imprisonment on each count of 6, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23 and 24 but discharged and acquitted the defendant on 21 counts.

The court also ordered that the sentence should run concurrently and the convict must restitute the victims.

Amos was convicted and sentenced to seventy-five years imprisonment by Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, for a similar offence on December 14, 2023.

The convict has two other ongoing trials before the Federal High Courts in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Another journey by the convict to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested and arraigned before Justice Olusola Adetujoye on December 14, 2021, by the EFCC.

He swindled several individuals under the pretext of investment ventures that led to the loss of money to the tune of over N1 billion by investors.

Umar Damagun, the acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party’s national legal adviser has been directed to take legal action over the defection of Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, and other members to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Damagun addressed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday at the end of the party’s national working committee (NWC) meeting.

On Monday, Ifeanyi Okowa, former governor of Delta, and Oborevwori, his successor, alongside some stakeholders of the PDP in the state, formally defected to the APC.

Damagun said the party has decided to dissolve all the structures in Delta since the majority of the leaders have joined the APC.

The acting national chairman said the south-south zonal caretaker committee should oversee the affairs of Delta PDP pending the inauguration of an interim leadership.

“We also instructed the national legal adviser to recover our mandate that they have taken away,” he said.

“The fortune of this party cannot be left in the hands of our adversaries, so we will take legal action to retrieve those mandates.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that elections cannot be done by leaders but by people. I believe this (defection) should not weigh us down.”

Damagun urged PDP members to remain calm, adding that the 2027 presidential election is between Nigerians and the APC.