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Buhari Fires Dokubo, Appoints Dikio, Amnesty Boss
Following corruption and mismanagement allegations levelled against him, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, sacked Prof Charles Dokubo, and appointed Col Milland Dikio (rtd) as interim coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
Disclosing this in a statement, yesterday, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said, “President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Col. Milland Dixion Dikio (rtd) as Interim Administrator (Amnesty Programme).
“This followed the President’s approval of the disengagement of Prof. Charles Quaker Dokubo from the Office as the Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme with immediate effect.
“Prof. Dokubo has been directed to hand over all official matters to the most senior officer of the programme.
“President Buhari appreciated the services of Prof. Dokubo”, the statement, added.
However, the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council (NDENYLC), yesterday, lauded the Federal Government for the appointment of Col. Milland Dikio (rtd) as the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, describing it as an indication that the programme would not be scrapped.
Reacting to development, Public Relations Officer of the group, Comrade Marcus Enudi, said the appointment laid to rest, “the rumour going round that the Amnesty programme was going to be scrapped by the Federal Government.
“The Amnesty programme by this gesture from the Federal Government, will continue. We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for this and also appeal to him to make Niger Delta development a priority as the region is the sole contributor to the national cake”.
The statement called on those “appointed by the Federal Government to manage the resources of the Niger Delta people to be prudent in discharging their duties and always remember that the Niger Delta people and region needs every kobo allocated to it to be developed.
“It is disheartening that Niger Deltans appointed to develop Niger Delta region are always accused of mismanaging the resources accrued to region; It will be great for once for Niger Deltans to take the development of the seriously and work towards actualizing the aims and objectives of their appointments”, the group added.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to the concerned people of the Niger Delta to join hands with him in a bid to reposition the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), warning the region would be doomed if urgent steps are not taking to protect the future wellbeing of the people.
Akpabio, who spoke on the backdrop of a recent proposal by the Federal Government to scrap the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for repentant Niger Delta militants by December, 2020, said Niger Deltans must begin to plan for Post Amnesty Initiative (PAI).
The former Senate minority leader, who was angst over the mismanagement of resources by previous drivers at the NDDC, reproached those responsible for the manipulation of activities to the detriment of the common people at the commission.
Condemning a situation where there was no plan on ground to ensure proper care and initiatives to salvage the people of the region, especially the ageing group, the immediate past governor of Akwa Ibom State lamented the plight of those exiting the age limit for amnesty beneficiaries.
According to him, “Today, we have amnesty programme, we must plan for the end of amnesty, it cannot be in perpetuity. So, where is the industry these people will go and work when amnesty ends?
“Amnesty was supposed to be for young stars below 40 years, it has gone for about 11 years now, very soon, those on amnesty will be on 60 and 70 years. So, we must begin to plan for what I call PAI, Post Amnesty Initiative.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene