Protest In Abuja As Niger Delta Activists Seek To Prevent The Confirmation Of NDDC Board Nominees

Protest In Abuja As Niger Delta Activists Seek To Prevent The Confirmation Of NDDC Board Nominees

Members of the Niger Delta Development Activists, Comrade, have launched a protest to express their dissatisfaction with the list of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board members sent to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation by President Muhammad Buhari.

According to the activists, some of the nominees were of questionable character, and the list violated the provisions of the NDDC establishment Act.

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The protest, which began at the Unity Fountain and ended at the National Assembly Complex Abuja Complex on Thursday, was intended to urge lawmakers to exercise caution in approving the list.

Comrade Odudu Livinus Lokiri, the group’s convener, told the protesters that the list was full. many people of questionable character who lack the integrity and reputation to represent the people’s interests in the commission

He claimed that the list did not follow due process, citing Section 2(2b) of the NDDC Act, which states that the chairman and other members of the board must be people of proven integrity and ability.

He stated that given his ignoble and shady past, Chief Samuel Ogbokwu, who was nominated for the position of Managing Director, was qualified for the position.

He went on to say that Ogbokwu used his political connections and connections to the former Governor of Bayelsa State and current Minister of State for Petroleum to get his name on the list.

According to Lokiri ” We are worried that the recent list sent to the senate by Mr President for confirmation has not followed the due process of the law as it has breached a very key provision of the NDDC establishment act. For instance, Section 2(2b) of the NDDC act provides in unambiguous terms, that the chairman and other members of the board shall be persons of proven integrity and ability.

“It is on record that he used his political network and connection to the former Governor of Bayelsa state and current minister of state for petroleum, HE Timipre Silva to subvert the law and wriggle out of the legal cobweb.
“It is unfortunate that in this time of insecurity, when a new wave of cultural orientation is being suggested for the younger generation to be impacted with the right values.

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This is a clear breach of the provision of the NDDC act reproduced above and we will not allow this happen without letting the world know his true person and character.We are jittery that our dear president is being misled by some selfish elements in furtherance of actions that encourage the breach of the constitution he swore an oath to protect and defend.

“We call on well-meaning Nigerians and true sons and daughters of the Niger Delta region, to rise to the occasion as opposed to our common patrimony being left in the hands of an individual with many corruption baggages. NDDC is for the development of the Niger Delta region and not for the self aggrandizement of a few”.

Lokiri expressed concern that three years after the arduous process of ridding the commission of corruption, some corrupt individuals are now being considered for lucrative appointments to the commission.

The activists promised to do everything in their power to prevent the confirmation of characters with a history of corruption.