When Lai Mohammed released the looters list and my name was there, I went to court-Uche Secondus

According to a report by The Sun News, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Uche Secondus, the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has opened up about his life after leaving the heights of political power and the misconceptions surrounding his wealth.

Secondus, who led the PDP through a turbulent period starting in 2017 before his tenure was cut short in August 2021, recently attracted public attention following the unveiling of his magnificent new residence.

The architectural masterpiece sparked intense rumours in Abuja and beyond, with many onlookers estimating the property’s value at a staggering N5 billion.

However, during a candid conversation, the veteran politician dismissed these figures as fabrications, explaining that the mansion was the result of a patient, fourteen-year construction process that he personally supervised rather than a sudden burst of political extravagance.

A central theme of the discussion was Secondus’s identity as a businessman with a “second address”, a fact he believes many Nigerians overlook because of his low-profile approach to private enterprise.

He traced his commercial roots back over forty years, highlighting his leadership in the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and his long-standing partnerships in importing essential industrial chemicals for major firms like NAFCON.

He pointed out that his financial stability predates his prominence in the PDP, noting that he had already acquired a home in the prestigious European quarters of Port Harcourt as far back as 1986.

By maintaining interests in real estate, insurance, and the oil and gas sectors, Secondus argues he has avoided the common pitfall where a politician’s livelihood depends entirely on the spoils of public office.

When addressed with the cynical view that party leaders inevitably profit from candidate primaries, Secondus was emphatic in his denial.

He challenged anyone to find a governor or candidate, including figures like Seyi Makinde or Bala Mohammed, who could claim they paid him for a ticket.

He maintained that throughout his ascent from a state chairman in 1999 to the national chairmanship, he prioritised merit and integrity.

This sense of personal honour was most evident during his confrontation with the federal government’s anti-corruption narrative.

He said, 'When the then FG’s spokesman, Lai Mohammed, published what they called the ‘looters list', and my name featured, I was bold enough to approach the court to challenge it."

He remains proud of the fact that he was the only individual on that controversial list to successfully sue for defamation and clear his name in court, proving that no evidence of financial impropriety existed against him.

Secondus also reflected on his extensive service across various boards and agencies, from the National Identity Management Commission to the Nigeria Railways, asserting that he never used these roles for personal enrichment through contracts. Instead, he framed his political career as one of service and legacy.

He recalled his time as the Rivers State PDP chairman under Peter Odili, where, instead of seeking personal wealth, he lobbied for the construction of roads to Andoni and Opobo to benefit his community.

He attributes his values to his upbringing by a police officer father and a dedicated teacher mother, noting that his family’s history of service gave him a reputation he is determined to protect.

Now back in the private sector, Secondus believes his physical and mental well-being are testaments to a life lived without the burden of corruption, content to let his record and his faith speak for his character.