The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to launch an immediate investigation into the alleged mismanagement of N26 billion in the oil sector.

The organization issued a seven-day ultimatum for the government to take action, warning that failure to do so would result in legal proceedings to compel compliance.

In a statement dated February 1, 2025, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged Tinubu to direct Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and anti-corruption agencies to probe the alleged financial irregularities involving the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The call for an investigation follows findings from the 2021 annual audited report released by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation on November 13, 2024.

The report revealed that funds were allegedly mismanaged, diverted, or stolen within the oil sector.

SERAP described the allegations as a “grave violation of public trust, Nigeria’s Constitution, and international anti-corruption obligations.”

It called for the immediate prosecution of those responsible and the recovery of all missing public funds for national development.

According to the audit report, some of the questionable expenditures include:

• Over N25 billion paid for contracts without supporting documents.
• N326 million unaccounted for in two bank deposits.
• N107 million spent on a library automation system without approval from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
• N46 million paid to three companies without proof of service delivery.
• N60 million in stamp duty fees from capital expenditure contracts that were not remitted.
• N64 million spent on store items that were never supplied.
• N41 million paid for services or goods that were not received.
• N137 million used for recurrent expenditures without approval from the National Assembly.
• N232 million paid to seven companies for “stakeholders’ engagement in the Niger Delta” with no details on the nature, location, or justification of the engagement.

The report raised concerns that these funds might have been diverted and recommended full recovery and remittance to the national treasury.

SERAP emphasized that addressing corruption in the oil sector is crucial for Nigeria’s economic stability.

It urged the government to recover the stolen funds and redirect them towards reducing the budget deficit and easing the country’s debt burden.

“Despite Nigeria’s vast oil wealth, citizens continue to suffer due to widespread corruption and the lack of accountability among those entrusted with public resources,” SERAP stated.

The organization also cited constitutional and international obligations, such as the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, as reasons why the government must act swiftly.

“Under Section 16(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, your government has a responsibility to ensure the welfare and economic security of all citizens based on principles of justice and equality,” the letter added.

SERAP reaffirmed its readiness to pursue legal action if the government fails to act within the stipulated timeframe, insisting that the nation’s resources must be used for the benefit of all Nigerians, both present and future generations.

The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has submitted a petition to security agencies, warning of potential threats to peace and security within the party.

The petition, dated February 1st, 2025, was addressed to the Department of State Security (DSS), the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

In the letter, Anyanwu accused the party’s governors of creating unrest by recognizing Sunday Udo-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary.

The petition reads in part, “There is an urgent need for the police to take note of paragraph 3 of the communique issued by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum after their meeting, which took place in Asaba, Delta State, on Friday, January 31, 2025.

“In the quoted paragraph 3 of the Communique, the Forum advised the NWC to set up a machinery for the implementation of the Enugu Court of Appeal judgement, which favoured the nomination of SKD Ude Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party.

“The police should be aware that an appeal has been filed in the Supreme Court against the quoted judgement. Furthermore, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja granted an order on January 13, 2025, clearly directing both parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive application.

“The order accordingly was duly served on all parties concerned, including the National Working Committee of PDP and INEC.

“It is a settled matter in law that when a judgement is appealed against to a superior court; all parties should maintain status quo ante bellum till the matter is finally determined.

“The governors cannot claim ignorance of this position of law before issuing their statement, which runs in conflict with the court decision.

“The police is aware that on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the same Ude Okoye, on the ill advice of his cohorts, invaded the PDP National Secretariat, the venue of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting with hired thugs and bandits to unleash attacks intended to disrupt the meeting for which he is not a member.

“That action was completely unlawful and in total disregard of the judiciary and the rule of law.

“It is saddening that the governors, in their expected wisdom, have allowed themselves to be deceived by the sponsors of Ude Okoye, who are already facing criminal investigations by the police against the forged PDP guidelines, which they used to mislead the courts in securing the ill-fated judgements.

“Police is therefore being alerted to the grave dangers that will ensue in the attempt of the NWC to implement the quoted advice of the PDP Governors Forum enshrined in paragraph 3 of their communique.

“It will be an invitation to chaos and an affront to the judiciary and the rule of law, especially when the matter is pending before the superior courts for determination.

“I am by this letter calling on you to take necessary steps to forestall the crises being instigated by the PDP Governors and the sponsors of Ude Okoye.

“The National Working Committee of PDP should be advised to refrain from any action that will be contrary to the position of the court on this matter.

“It is my right as a lawful citizen to seek justice against a judgement that was fraudulently secured against me.

“In the interest of peace and safety of lives and property of innocent Nigerians, all parties to this case should be cautioned to conduct themselves in line with the rule of law and the decision of the Court of Appeal to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the motion.

“Anything contrary to this will be vehemently resisted. I still remain the validly elected National Secretary of PDP until the court rules otherwise.

“Thanking you in anticipation of your kind intervention, and please, accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has thrown its weight behind Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary, despite the ongoing legal battle over the position.

The decision was reached during the governors’ first monthly meeting of 2025, held on Friday in Asaba, Delta State.

The contest over who rightfully holds the position of PDP National Secretary has been a source of tension within the party, with Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader Sunday Udeh-Okoye both laying claim to the role.

The matter remains unresolved in the courts, including Nigeria’s Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeal in Enugu had ruled in December 2024 that Udeh-Okoye should be recognized as the party’s National Secretary, upholding an earlier High Court judgment.

However, Anyanwu has continued to challenge this ruling.

In a communique issued at the end of their meeting, the PDP governors reaffirmed their commitment to the Court of Appeal’s ruling, declaring Udeh-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary of the party.

“In the quoted paragraph 3 of the Communique, the Forum advised the NWC to set up a machinery for the implementation of the Enugu Court of Appeal judgement, which favoured the nomination of SKD Ude Okoye as the National Secretary of the Party.”

They urged the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to execute the judgment accordingly. Additionally, the governors recommended rescheduling the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to March 13, 2025, instead of its originally planned February date.

Present at the meeting were Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who also serves as the Forum’s Chairperson, alongside Governors Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom). Other attendees included Governors Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), and Oyo State’s Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal.

During the meeting, the PDP Governors Forum also addressed Nigeria’s economic difficulties, urging President Bola Tinubu’s administration to revise its policies to alleviate widespread hardship.

“The Forum calls on the federal government to either revisit or rejig its macroeconomic policies to ameliorate and stop the hardship and pains that they have inflicted on Nigerians as no meaningful or impactful achievements in the states will be achieved until the harsh policies are addressed,” Governor Bala Mohammed stated.

He reassured Nigerians that the PDP would work towards fixing the economy once back in power.

Additionally, the governors raised concerns about the growing influence of non-state actors, calling on the federal government to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.

The dispute over the position of PDP National Secretary began after Samuel Anyanwu stepped aside to contest the Imo State governorship election on November 11, 2023.

Despite losing to incumbent Governor Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anyanwu did not submit a formal resignation from his position as PDP National Secretary.

Meanwhile, in October 2023, PDP leaders in the South-East nominated Udeh-Okoye to replace Anyanwu.

A High Court in Enugu later ruled in favor of Udeh-Okoye, instructing the PDP to recognize him as National Secretary.

However, the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) challenged the ruling, arguing that the decision was obtained through fraudulent means and lacked clarity on Udeh-Okoye’s exact position.

In January 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in Anyanwu’s favor, affirming him as the rightful PDP National Secretary.

The court also restrained the party’s leadership from appointing a replacement until Anyanwu’s four-year tenure ended in December 2025.

In December 2024, the Court of Appeal in Enugu upheld the High Court ruling that Udeh-Okoye should be recognized as National Secretary.

The appellate court ruled that Anyanwu’s claim to the position was invalid, as his gubernatorial candidacy had effectively vacated the role.

“The judge, Inyang Ekwo, also restrained the national leadership of the PDP from appointing any person as its acting national secretary until the expiration of Mr Anyanwu’s four-year tenure on 9 December 2025, as enshrined in the party’s constitution.”

Despite the ruling, Anyanwu refused to step down and appealed the case to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Udeh-Okoye assumed office on December 30, 2024, citing the appellate court’s decision.

However, in January 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja intervened, ordering both parties to maintain the status quo until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling.

Both claimants have interpreted the status quo directive differently:

• Udeh-Okoye argues that the ruling means he should continue in office as National Secretary since the Court of Appeal had already ruled in his favor.
• Anyanwu contends that the order effectively puts a hold on the implementation of the Court of Appeal’s judgment, thereby allowing him to retain his position until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict.

The dispute has also led to a division within the PDP leadership.

National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba has publicly recognized Udeh-Okoye as the legitimate National Secretary, citing the Court of Appeal ruling.

However, his deputy, Ibrahim Abdullahi, has countered this, insisting that Anyanwu remains the rightful officeholder based on the Federal High Court ruling in Abuja.

Last week, PDP leaders from the South-East reaffirmed their support for Udeh-Okoye, adding further weight to his claim to the position.

As the legal battle continues, the Supreme Court’s final verdict will be crucial in determining the party’s leadership structure moving forward.