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Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, was at the Lagos office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, today in connection with an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal diversion of about ₦1.3 trillion.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, was not available for comments on the issue, but a source within the commission who did not want to be named told Channels Television that the former governor is being investigated for alleged diversion of 13 per cent derivation funds accrued to Delta State from the Federation Account between 2015 and 2023.

The former governor was previously arrested on November 4, 2024, and questioned by operatives of the EFCC at its Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate over the allegations.

He reportedly showed up at the Lagos office today, in a bid to secure the release of his passport to enable him to travel abroad for medical treatment.

As of the time of this report, it was unclear whether his request was granted by the anti-graft agency.

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As the Malawian government moves to evacuate its citizens from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks, Nigerians caught in the unrest have expressed frustration over what they describe as a lack of support from their home country.

Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Gauteng, South Africa, Ikye Okwuakwu, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene and assist Nigerians affected by the crisis.

Speaking amid reports that thousands of foreign nationals have been displaced and are currently sheltering in temporary camps, Okwuakwu questioned Nigeria’s response to the situation.

“Malawi is taking its people home. What is Nigeria doing for its own citizens?” he asked.

He urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to protect and support Nigerians stranded in South Africa, warning that many are facing uncertainty and hardship as tensions persist in affected communities.

The appeal comes as concerns continue to grow over the welfare and safety of foreign nationals impacted by the wave of xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa.

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The Presidency has strongly criticised Labour Party presidential candidate, , over his recent call for President to resign, describing the demand as “childish, hollow, and an unwarranted distraction.”

In a statement issued on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, , accused Obi of drawing a misleading comparison between Nigeria’s presidential system and the United Kingdom’s parliamentary system in advocating for Tinubu’s resignation.

Onanuga argued that President Tinubu was elected to a fixed four-year term and should be judged through the electoral process rather than calls for resignation on social media. He pointed to recent election victories recorded by the ruling party in Ekiti, Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo and Rivers states as evidence of public support for the President and his administration.

The presidential aide also defended the administration’s handling of security, stating that the government had intensified military operations, rescued hundreds of kidnapped victims and neutralised thousands of terrorists since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.

On the economy, Onanuga maintained that key indicators showed progress under the current administration. He cited improvements in oil production, increased government revenue, growth in foreign reserves, rising investor confidence and gains in the stock market as signs that the economy was recovering from longstanding challenges.

The Presidency further highlighted infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, as well as reforms in the power sector and student loan programme, as evidence of the administration’s commitment to development.

Responding to Obi’s criticisms of electricity supply and the cost of living, Onanuga argued that the government had taken steps to expand power generation and reduce estimated billing through the rollout of prepaid meters. He also attributed current economic pressures partly to global developments, including tensions in the Middle East and their impact on commodity prices.

The statement concluded with a sharp rebuke of Obi, accusing him of misrepresenting the country’s situation and failing to acknowledge what the Presidency described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration.

According to Onanuga, President Tinubu remains focused on reforms, economic stabilisation, security improvements and long-term development, insisting that Nigeria is on a path of progress under his leadership.