Tompolo’s full name is High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo. A prominent figure from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, he is a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and a traditional leader associated with the Egbesu deity. He is often referred to as a "force of nature" in the region and leads Tantita Security Services Limited.

₦4bn Monthly to Tompolo: Smart Security Strategy or Dangerous Precedent?

A claim has sparked intense debate after a man alleged that the Federal Government pays ex-militant leader Tompolo ₦4 billion every month to protect oil pipelines in the Niger Delta. The revelation has left many Nigerians questioning why a government responsible for national security would outsource such a critical task to a former militant.

Supporters argue it is a pragmatic move that leverages local influence to curb oil theft and vandalism. Critics, however, see it as a troubling signal—one that weakens state authority and normalizes privatized security for national assets.

So the big question remains: Is this strategic thinking or sheer recklessness?

#NigeriaPolitics #NigerDelta #OilSecurity #PublicDebate

Nigerian Research Institute to Spend N1.1B on Grinding & Welding Equipment to Empower Youths and Women in 2026

The National Cereals Research Institute has revealed plans to spend ₦1.1 billion on grinding machines, welding equipment, mobile carts, and vulcanising machines in 2026. The initiative aims to empower youths and women in the Niger Delta States to start small businesses.

In addition, the institute allocated ₦4.1 billion to supply grains to rural farmers in selected South-South communities, and another ₦4.9 billion to purchase grains for farmers nationwide. A further ₦350 million is earmarked for capacity building for grain producers in South-West Nigeria.

The announcement comes amid concerns raised by civic watchdog MonITng, which previously criticized empowerment projects in Aguata Federal Constituency, Anambra State, as mismanaged and outdated, arguing that providing wheelbarrows, hoes, and cutlasses does not adequately equip youths for today’s economy.

MonITng stressed that true empowerment should combine skills training (like welding, ICT, tailoring, or agro-processing) with meaningful tools, rather than handing out obsolete implements.

At a time when nations invest in technology-driven agriculture and digital empowerment, spending millions on cutlasses and wheelbarrows is a waste of public funds,” the group said.



The 2026 plan by the Cereals Research Institute reflects a shift towards more practical and business-oriented empowerment programs, aimed at giving Nigerians the tools to create sustainable livelihoods.

Wahala Don Set Oo! PANDEF Steps In As Wike, Fubara Political Fight Rock Rivers State

Wahala don happen for Rivers State as the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has set up a seven-man peace committee to resolve the deepening political crisis between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. The group has given the committee two weeks to restore calm and stability in the state. Chaired by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi (SAN), the panel is tasked with de-escalating tensions between the executive and the Rivers State House of Assembly and encouraging dialogue among key stakeholders. PANDEF Chairman, Godknows Igali, urged both Fubara and Wike to respect the outcome of the reconciliation process. The committee will engage political leaders, traditional rulers and former governors before submitting a report within 14 days. Meanwhile, two lawmakers have withdrawn support for the impeachment move against the governor, calling for a political solution instead of removal from office.

Is Nyesom Wike Undermining APC from Inside Government? Why Rivers APC Leaders Are Urging Tinubu to Sanction the FCT Minister Over ‘Anti-Party’ Activities

Why would leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) publicly demand the removal of a sitting minister appointed by their own government? And is Nigeria witnessing one of the most serious internal party confrontations since the 2023 elections?

A coalition of APC leaders has formally asked President Bola Tinubu to sanction or remove the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing him of repeated anti-party conduct and statements that allegedly threaten national unity. The demand was conveyed in a memo addressed to the President through the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and was accompanied by plans for a protest at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The signatories—including party chieftains and youth leaders—say their action was prompted by growing concern that Wike, a former Rivers State governor and still a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has consistently attacked APC leadership while serving in an APC-led federal government. Could a minister appointed from outside the ruling party be working at cross-purposes with the party that empowered him?

At the heart of the dispute are comments allegedly made by Wike during a “thank-you tour” in Oyigbo, Rivers State, where he was said to have criticised the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, accusing him of meddling in state politics for personal reasons and warning that those who interfere would “get their fingers burnt.” APC leaders argue that such remarks amount to direct disrespect for the party’s National Working Committee and an attempt by Wike to exert influence in Rivers State despite not being a registered APC member.

The coalition further alleges that Wike has been undermining the APC-led government in Rivers State through persistent public attacks on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, reportedly calling his emergence a “mistake” and suggesting that the situation should be corrected in the 2027 elections. Are these political opinions—or a calculated strategy to weaken APC’s hold on Rivers State from within?

Beyond party politics, the memo raises alarms over what it describes as “dangerous and inflammatory” statements, including claims attributed to Wike that “nobody can enter Rivers State.” The APC leaders warn that portraying any part of Nigeria as a “no-go area” challenges federal authority, risks reviving tensions in the Niger Delta, and could undermine the President’s constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief. Could such rhetoric threaten national cohesion at a time when unity remains fragile?

The group insists that failure to act against the FCT Minister may deepen internal divisions, erode party discipline, and weaken APC’s electoral prospects in Rivers State. They have vowed to escalate their protests nationwide if their demand is ignored.

Is this a necessary stand to defend party supremacy and national unity—or a dramatic political showdown that exposes deeper fractures within Nigeria’s ruling party? As the standoff unfolds, all eyes remain on President Tinubu and whether he will heed the call to sanction one of the most powerful political figures in the country.

Why Is Bayelsa Government House Budgeting ₦1.2 Billion for Foreign Trips, ₦500 Million for VIP Hosting, and ₦100 Million for Christmas Decorations in 2026 While Hospitals Remain Underfunded?

Fresh scrutiny has been placed on the Bayelsa State Government following revelations from the 2026 budget estimates showing massive allocations for luxury and administrative spending at the Government House, even as critical public institutions, particularly the healthcare sector, remain severely underfunded.

A review of the budget by SaharaReporters indicates that ₦100 million has been earmarked for Christmas decorations at the Government House alone. In addition, ₦500 million is allocated for hosting VIPs throughout the year, while an even more staggering ₦1.2 billion is budgeted for international travel by the Governor’s office in 2026.

These figures have triggered public debate over priorities, especially in a state facing infrastructure gaps, rising cost of living, and fragile healthcare services.

The spending plan appears even more controversial when placed beside Bayelsa’s health-sector allocations. Budget performance documents reveal that between January and September 2025, ₦401 million was spent on international medical trips, yet only ₦5.5 million was allocated to capital expenditure for the state-owned Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital (NDUTH) within the same period.

A similar pattern was recorded in previous years. In 2024, the state reportedly spent ₦306 million on foreign medical treatment between January and September, while just ₦71 million went into capital projects at NDUTH, despite a total annual budget of ₦780 million for the hospital. In 2023 alone, Bayelsa reportedly spent ₦872.8 million on overseas medical care, reinforcing concerns that public funds are being channelled abroad instead of strengthening local health infrastructure.

Critics argue that the 2026 allocations for foreign travel, VIP hospitality, and festive décor reflect a continued culture of elite comfort over public welfare. They say the government’s financial choices raise serious questions about governance priorities in a state where public hospitals struggle with outdated equipment, limited facilities, and underfunding.

The controversy also revives earlier national debates on medical tourism by public officials. In 2022, lawmakers at the federal level attempted to amend the National Health Act 2014 with a bill proposing a ₦500 million fine or seven years’ imprisonment for public officers who fund overseas medical treatment with public resources. Although the bill failed after intense debate, its intent was clear: to force leaders to invest in Nigeria’s healthcare system rather than abandoning it.

With Bayelsa’s 2026 budget now in focus, many citizens are asking whether the state government is prioritising public service or political comfort. Should billions be spent on foreign trips, VIP entertainment, and decorations while hospitals lack basic equipment and capital funding? And at what point does official spending become a symbol of misplaced priorities?

As economic pressures mount and calls for fiscal responsibility grow louder, the Bayelsa budget has become a test case for accountability, transparency, and the true meaning of governance in a democracy.

Nigerian Government Plans ₦195 Billion Spending on Presidential Amnesty Programme Between 2026 and 2028 Amid Audit Irregularities

A review of Nigeria’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2026–2028 has revealed that the Federal Government plans to spend ₦195 billion on the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) over three years. The allocation includes ₦65 billion each for 2026, 2027, and 2028, adding to the ₦130 billion already spent on the programme in 2023 and 2024. The PAP, designed to rehabilitate ex-militants from the Niger Delta, has however been plagued by financial irregularities. An Auditor-General’s report uncovered over ₦6 billion withdrawn without proper auditing, tuition payments made without documentation, unaudited expenditures of ₦3.62 billion, and cash advances exceeding approved limits. These findings have raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and financial controls within the programme.

#PresidentialAmnestyProgramme
#NigeriaBudget
#PublicFinance

Akwa Ibom and Rivers Communities Cry Out Over Oil Pollution, Poverty Despite Rich Resources

Communities in Akwa Ibom and Rivers States continue to suffer from oil pollution and poverty, despite being located in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta. Residents of Ibeno, Okoroitak, Iwuopom, and Ogoniland report contaminated rivers, ruined farmlands, and decaying infrastructure caused by decades of oil spills and gas flaring. Many locals, including women and youth leaders, describe loss of livelihoods, absence of healthcare, and lack of jobs. Despite the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) mandating 3% of oil revenues for host communities, locals claim they have seen no benefits. Cleanup efforts by HYPREP and companies like Shell are slow, leaving communities vulnerable and dependent on dwindling resources. Rights groups warn of corruption, mismanagement, and ongoing environmental hazards from abandoned oil operations.

#OilPollution #NigerDelta #AkwaIbom #RiversState #EnvironmentalJustice #HYPREP #SeplatEnergy #ExxonMobil #PIA #CommunityStruggle

NSA Ribadu Leads Federal Delegation with Ministers of Works and Environment to Inspect Projects, Oil Spill Sites in Rivers State

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, alongside the Ministers of Works and Environment, visited Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as part of a high-level federal inspection of critical infrastructure and oil spill locations in Ogoniland. The delegation, which also included the Director-General of NOSDRA, engaged stakeholders to address environmental remediation, development, and security concerns in affected communities. Key sites visited include the East-West Road, Yorla Oilfield spill site, University of Environmental Technology, and K-Dere Hospital. The visit underscores renewed federal attention on Niger Delta oil-producing communities and peacebuilding initiatives.

NDDC Scholarship Awardees Protest Omission After Completing Documentation

Several selected candidates for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) scholarship have raised alarm after being unexpectedly removed from final lists despite completing all required exams, interviews, screening, and documentation. Many received congratulatory messages, codes, and attended the award ceremony, only to discover discrepancies between the master list and state lists used for verification. Some cleared candidates are still awaiting their official award letters, leaving them stranded and concerned about their academic future. The affected applicants are calling for urgent clarification and intervention as the commission faces renewed scrutiny over past controversies and unresolved scholarship issues.

BREAKING NEWS: National Grid Receives 450MW Boost from Niger Delta Power Company

Kidnapping Began in Southern Nigeria, Not the North — Gov Sule Warns Against Regional Blame

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule says kidnapping did not originate in the North as widely believed, arguing that the crisis first emerged in Nigeria’s oil-producing southern region between 2003 and 2009. Speaking on Channels TV’s Sunday Politics, he described a tense governors’ meeting where rising insecurity sparked anger and frustration among members. Sule recounted how oil workers were frequently abducted in the Niger Delta for economic ransom and urged Nigerians to stop regionalising insecurity. He stressed that kidnapping has now become a national problem requiring collective effort to defeat.


#InsecurityNigeria

#GovSule

#KidnappingCrisis

₦17.9tr Not for Pipeline Surveillance

Pipeline surveillance in the Niger Delta has proven to be a workable and implementable strategy for reducing oil theft and vandalism. It has also helped to ensure better inclusion of local communities, contributing to stability and predictability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector within the region.

— Nse Victor Udoh, Convener, Niger Delta Progressives Alliance

Federal Government should give Band!ts amnesty and money like Niger Delta militants.

~ Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum says

NDPHC Boss Jennifer Adighije Accused of Corruption, Reckless Spending as Staff Petition EFCC, Presidency

Staff of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company have accused Managing Director Jennifer Adighije of massive corruption, reckless spending, and poor leadership, claiming the company has added “zero megawatts” under her watch. In an open letter to the EFCC and the Presidency, workers cited a proposed ₦900 million “25-Year Celebration,” alleged private jet trips, media consultancy excesses, and manipulated promotion exams. They also raised concerns over a viral video showing Adighije giving Nollywood actress Sarah Martins ₦20 million in foreign currency — a donation Seyi Tinubu denied authorizing. The petition urges authorities to investigate spending, audit projects, and stop what they call worsening mismanagement at NDPHC.
#NDPHC #CorruptionAllegations #EFCC

BUA Refinery: Nigeria’s Next Big Move to End Fuel Import Dependence

Nigeria is set for another major breakthrough in its energy sector as BUA Group pushes forward with the construction of its new 200,000 barrels-per-day refinery in Akwa Ibom State. Led by billionaire industrialist Abdul Samad Rabiu, the project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s ability to refine its own crude oil locally — a crucial step toward ending decades of fuel import dependence.

A Game Changer for Nigeria’s Economy

For years, Nigeria has exported crude oil only to import refined fuels at high costs. With the new BUA refinery coming onstream, this cycle is expected to change dramatically. The refinery will produce:
• Petrol (PMS)
• Diesel (AGO)
• Aviation fuel (Jet A1)
• LPG (cooking gas)
• Petrochemicals

This means more jobs, cheaper domestic fuel, and extra revenue for the nation through exports.

Why This Refinery Matters

✔ Supports fuel supply stability
✔ Reduces foreign exchange pressure
✔ Expands Nigeria’s refining capacity
✔ Encourages competition with other refineries — especially Dangote Refinery
✔ Boosts development in the Niger Delta region

The refinery is already attracting international partners in engineering, technology, and infrastructure.

Driving Local Content & Industrial Growth

BUA Group is one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing conglomerates — with investments in:
• Cement
• Foods & sugar
• Port operations
• Real estate
• Energy & power

The refinery project expands BUA’s footprint into the petroleum value chain, helping to keep more wealth within Nigeria.

Looking Ahead

Once completed, the BUA refinery will become one of West Africa’s largest privately-owned refineries, adding healthy competition to the market and supporting Nigeria’s long-awaited shift toward full downstream independence.

“Nigeria should not be importing fuel when we have crude oil.”
— Abdul Samad Rabiu

The journey continues — and the results could reshape the nation’s economic future.

Political Earthquake in Bayelsa: Governor Diri Dumps PDP for APC, Cites Tinubu’s “Love for Ijaw People”

Bayelsa’s political landscape has witnessed a stunning shift as Governor Douye Diri officially announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) — a move that has seen most members of the State House of Assembly follow his lead.

The Governor explained that his decision was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire to align Bayelsa State with the federal government for accelerated development and better opportunities for the people.

Speaking at the defection ceremony, Diri praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its “unprecedented commitment” to the Niger Delta’s development, describing it as proof of the President’s affection for the Ijaw nation.

“Government has shown us the will and the direction that they love the Ijaw people and Bayelsa State,” Diri declared during a live broadcast on Channels Television.


He highlighted three major developmental milestones achieved through federal partnership as justification for his defection:

1. Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road: A long-awaited project now actively pursued under President Tinubu, described by Diri as “the economic lifeline of the Ijaw people.”


2. Nembe–Brass Road Project: Once stalled, but revived after Tinubu’s swift approval. “When I met the President, he said, ‘Governor, it is done,’ and within days, contractors were on site,” Diri recounted.


3. ₦4 Billion Tax Waiver: Granted for the importation of 60-megawatt gas turbines to provide Bayelsa with 24-hour independent power supply, a breakthrough after years of darkness due to grid sabotage.

Diri concluded that these “acts of grace” proved Tinubu’s genuine commitment to Bayelsa’s progress, calling his move to the APC “a necessary alignment for the future prosperity of our people.”

Asari Dokubo Warns Trump: ‘Nigeria Will Be the Graveyard of Any US Invasion’.

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has issued a stern warning to United States President Donald Trump, cautioning him against making good on his alleged threat to launch a military incursion into Nigeria over claims of widespread Christian persecution.

In a viral video shared via Facebook, the ex-leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) vowed that any American troops sent to Nigeria would meet fierce resistance. According to him, Nigeria would become “the graveyard” of Trump and any invading US forces.

“Let Trump come with his America, they will all die,” Asari declared passionately. “This lunatic wants to annex Canada, wants Iceland, wants to kill the president of Venezuela and the Supreme Leader of Iran. America is a sick country that elects madmen as leaders.”

The former warlord accused Trump of hypocrisy, saying the US ignored several humanitarian crises around the world while choosing to target Nigeria. “He can’t see the genocide in Congo, Gaza, or Sudan, but he’s talking about genocide against Christians in Nigeria,” he said. “If you come here, you’ll die here Nigeria will be your graveyard.”

Asari, who described himself as a Muslim raised among non-Muslims, also dismissed the idea that the killings in Nigeria are purely religious, insisting that both Muslims and Christians are victims of the ongoing violence.

He concluded by warning that unlike others who merely talk, he and his allies are ready to act if Nigeria’s sovereignty is threatened.

Trump’s military threat: ‘Nigeria will become your grave yards’ – Asari Dokubo warns US.

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has warned President Donald Trump of the United States, US, against carrying out his threat of military incursion into Nigeria following allegations of Christian genocide.

Asari warned that Nigeria will be the grave yard of Trump and any US military if they dared to attack the country.

In a viral video on Facebook, the former leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, NDPVF, said US soldiers will be killed if they invade Nigeria in line with Trump’s threat.

He said: “Let Trump come with his America, they will all die, this lunatic wants to annex Canada, he wants Iceland, wants to kill the president of Venezuela, he wants to kill the Supreme leader of Iran.

“And that is why when they talk of America, I say it’s a sick country, a country of mad people, insane people and that is why they can elect a lunatic as their president.

“Satan has blessed and cursed him, even if America comes we will fight them, did America not go to Vietnam? Didn’t they run? Where have they gone to and stayed? Let Trump come with his America, you will all die.

“South Africa is committing genocide against Whites but he can’t see the genocide in Congo, in Gaza, in Sudan but he is saying South Africa is committed genocide against White, in Nigeria it’s genocide against Christians. I want to assure you, if you come to Nigeria, you all will die here, it will be your grace yard, Nigeria will be your grace yard.

“Everybody knows that people are being killed left, right and centre, this is not a lie. But is it Muslim or Christian? I’m a Muslim who is in the oasis of non-muslim.

“What I am today was not made by Muslims, I was made by non-Muslims, you people talk too much. We always tell you that we don’t just talk, we perform.

NDDC Demands Retraction, Apology.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has demanded a retraction and apology from the Punch and Daily Times newspapers over an alleged coup rumour against the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Commission’s Legal Counsel, ADEDIPE AND ADEDIPE Legal Practitioners, in a strongly worded letter signed by Chief Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN, demanded that The Punch, the Daily Times and others retract the offensive and false publication and tender an unreserved public apology.

Adedipe said the report, “falsely alleged that Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was arrested by military intelligence for allegedly co-sponsoring a failed coup plot against President Tinubu.

“The publication further claimed, without any factual or evidential basis, that Dr Ogbuku transferred funds from NDDC contracts to finance an alleged coup plot. These allegations are entirely false, malicious, and defamatory.”

According to the letter, “Dr Ogbuku categorically denies these baseless claims. He has not been arrested, invited, or interrogated by any authority in connection with any alleged coup plot or financial misconduct. The publication represents a gross violation of journalistic ethics, as no attempt was made to contact or verify the story with him or the NDDC before its release.