Stakeholders in the Niger Delta region have raised the alarm over alleged plot by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, to appoint another interim administrator to oversee the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The stakeholder, under the umbrella of the Centre for Fairness and Accountability (CEFA), claimed the minister, in conjunction with enemies of the region, is spearheading the move to undermine the relative peaceful coexistence in the region.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Ebitimi Fubara, a copy of which was made available to The Guardian yesterday, the group said the move could re-awaken the hostility in the region and destroy the efforts by President Buhari at ensuring peace in the Niger Delta region.

“We are aware that the evil plot is to project the appointment of a Director in NDDC as sole administrator so that he can be at the beck and call of the minister. This will not work.”

The group recalled an earlier warning issued in this regard by elders and leaders of the region, including Edwin Clark, that appointment of another interim administration would be vehemently resisted and make the region ungovernable.

“We wonder why it seems to be taking eternity to constitute a board for the NDDC, considering the fact that it has been without one since the inception of this administration, which is against the NDDC Act.

“We strongly call on the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, who is the chief law officer of the Federation; the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva and other stakeholders to quickly intervene before this issue snowballs into a messy one. We urge Mr. President to constitute a substantive board to govern the NDDC.” (The Guardian)

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