Prophet Godwin Ikuru Condemns NDDC MD Samuel Ogbuku for Withholding Payment to Widow

Prophet Godwin Ikuru Condemns NDDC MD Samuel Ogbuku for Withholding Payment to Widow

*Port Harcourt, Nigeria* – In a sharp rebuke, Prophet Godwin Ikuru, the leader of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry, has criticized the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, for refusing to pay a widow for a contract executed by her late husband. The widow, left in dire straits after her husband’s sudden demise, has allegedly been denied the rightful payment, despite completing the project before her husband's passing.

Prophet Ikuru, who previously blessed Ogbuku’s office when he assumed the role of NDDC Managing Director, expressed his disappointment in the strongest terms, labeling Ogbuku as “wicked and insensitive” for his refusal to settle the widow's dues.

“I was the one who prayed for him when he took up the mantle of leadership at the NDDC,” said Prophet Ikuru. “If you look closely at the photographs, you’ll see me blessing his office, hoping his tenure would bring progress and compassion. But what I have witnessed from his actions towards this widow is nothing short of cruelty.”

According to Prophet Ikuru, the widow’s husband successfully completed a contract for the NDDC, but passed away shortly after. In the wake of his death, the widow reached out to the commission, seeking the compensation her late husband was owed, hoping to use the funds for his burial and to rebuild her life in the face of financial hardship. 

“Things are difficult for many people at the moment, and this woman is not asking for charity. She is simply asking for what her husband earned through his hard work. I personally urged Ogbuku to make the payment, given the circumstances, but he has refused to do so. This is nothing short of wickedness,” Ikuru added.

The prophet did not hold back in his condemnation, stating that Ogbuku’s behavior reflects a deeper problem within the leadership structure, where the most vulnerable are neglected. “It portrays a high level of insensitivity and cruelty. Leaders like Ogbuku, who show such disregard for the welfare of the people they serve, do not deserve public office. He should step down immediately.”

The widow, whose identity has been kept private for now, continues to await the payment. Her plea highlights the broader issue of contract non-payment and delayed compensation that many contractors, especially those in the Niger Delta region, have faced over the years.

Calls for Samuel Ogbuku’s resignation have begun to grow louder in some quarters, as civil society groups and community leaders echo Prophet Ikuru’s concerns, urging the government to address such issues of injustice and ensure that the rights of citizens, especially the most vulnerable, are protected.

Neither the NDDC nor Ogbuku has officially responded to the allegations at the time of this report.

This story sheds light on the ongoing challenges within the Niger Delta Development Commission and the need for accountability at the highest levels of leadership, especially when it comes to ensuring justice for ordinary citizens.