Ondo APC Aspirant Benedict Linked to Bogus Federal Agency Under ICPC Scrutiny

An All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant seeking election into the Ondo State House of Assembly, Ambassador Orioye G. Benedict, has been identified as the state coordinator for an alleged Federal Government agency currently facing investigation by Nigerian authorities. Elements associated with the organization list Benedict as the “State Coordinator” of the National Brand Development and Made in Nigeria Project Office in Ondo State.

Orioye is also pursuing a political career, aiming to represent Ilaje Constituency I in the Ondo State House of Assembly, a detail confirmed by a campaign flyer sighted by SaharaReporters. The flyer, featuring the phrases “Agbayí Dírórún” and “Thank You,” introduces him as “Hon. Orioye Benedict Gbayisemore, Candidate, Ondo State House of Assembly, Ilaje Constituency 1.”

His designation as a state coordinator emerges amidst an ongoing probe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The ICPC is investigating what it describes as a purported fake government office, which reportedly operated from premises within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). The anti-graft agency had previously revealed that President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, identified as the alleged promoter of this dubious agency, and the suspension of three permanent secretaries following the discovery. The suspended officials are M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare, and Richard P. Pheelangwah.

Operating under the name National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office, the alleged agency presented itself as a nationwide government-backed initiative, maintaining an elaborate organizational structure. Its website listed Nwabueze as “Executive Director, National Coordinator” and detailed officials for national administration, geopolitical zones, states, and international representation. Orioye was among 20 individuals listed as state coordinators across Nigeria, a list that also included representatives for Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Kebbi, Osun, Anambra, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Ogun, Sokoto, Abia, Zamfara, Niger, Kano, Taraba, Oyo, Bauchi, and Kogi states. The organization further claimed to have representatives in the United States and China.

This extensive structure reportedly lent credibility to the organization, making it appear as a formal government institution, despite the ICPC’s findings that the office allegedly operated without presidential authorization. SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the purported agency claimed to operate under the OSGF and stated on its website that it was overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, within the OSGF.

Questions are now being raised by the ICPC investigation regarding how the organization gained access to government premises, managed to operate a nationwide structure, and appointed individuals as state coordinators without apparent presidential approval. The inclusion of an active political aspirant among the listed state coordinators is expected to generate further inquiries concerning the organization’s activities and the roles played by those appointed to its alleged state offices.

It remains unclear from current information whether Orioye was aware of the alleged lack of government authorization when he was listed as the Ondo State coordinator, or the precise nature of the activities he undertook for the organization. The ICPC is expected to determine the full scope of the alleged agency's operations, how it secured access to the OSGF premises, the identities and roles of all involved parties, and whether any government resources, facilities, or privileges were improperly utilized.