Refrain from Destabilising Devt in N’Delta, Ex-agitators  Appeal to Stakeholders

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Former Niger Delta agitators have appealed to stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to refrain from destabilising the development vehicle that is being strengthened to cater for the welfare of the people in the region.

The group under the aegis of Ex-Agitators Forum, also expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and distanced itself from anyone or group holding contrary views.

In a statement that was signed by HRH Henry Binidodogha (President First Phase), Olotu Wanemi (National Chairman Second Phase) and Tonye Bobo (National Chairman Third Phase), the ex-agitators, condemned calls for the removal of the present management committee of the NDDC.

It cautioned those making the calls to desist from their antics because they are unwittingly pulling the Niger Delta region backwards.

The statement said that “as major stakeholders in the region, we are worried by the frequent changes of leadership in the foremost interventionist agency in Nigeria’s oil-rich region. This disruptive change of guards impedes the development of the region.

“We are aware that some powerful individuals who previously benefited from the years of sleaze are behind the new threats. Their unfortunate mission, which is against the mandate of the NDDC, is meant to truncate the changes that are taking place at the commission.

“We urge Niger Delta stakeholders to disregard those seeking to disrupt the system because it is obvious that they are sponsored to sow the seeds of discord in the hope of benefitting from “The stakeholders should note that the self-serving agents of disharmony are merely heating up the system knowing that President Bola Tinubu is in the process of reconstituting the NDDC’s board.”

The former agitators reminded Niger Deltans that the threat to shut down the operations of the NDDC is no longer fashionable, adding that they have since embraced peaceful engagement with the government since the emergence of the Ogbuku-led management team.

“It is noteworthy that within a very short period of the time, Dr. Ogbuku and his team have laid the foundation for the rapid economic development of the region and put in place an enduring and sustainable governance structure for the effective operations of the commission.

“We note that as a former youth leader himself, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku has been through the mill and is well prepared for the leadership position he is occupying today. The leadership of the authentic ex-agitators is happy that Mr. President retained Ogbuku to continue to pilot affairs of the commission until a new board is constituted.

“Majority of genuine ex-agitators, who were in the thick of the struggle to emancipate the Niger Delta region, know their own.  It is, therefore, unthinkable for fellow ex-agitators to call for the sack of the management currently headed by Dr. Ogbuku, who is dearly loved by his people.

“We appeal to Niger Delta stakeholders to refrain from destabilising the development vehicle that is being strengthened to provide for the welfare of our people,” the group added.