The Ondo State Chapter of the Ijaw National Congress has rejected the nomination of Mr. Charles Ogunmola as the Executive Director Projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC).

The group is insisting that the nomination of Ogunnmola who is from the non-oil producing Owo conflicts with the provision of the Act establishing the NDDC.

The Act stipulates that only an indigene from an oil producing community be appointed to occupy such a position.

The Chairman, INC, Ondo State, Akure, Hon. Bonsuwe Ogonobibi Ominidougha, said that the INC in its emergency meeting in Akure on Sunday supported the call for the disqualification of Ogunmola “whose nomination violates the NDDC Act”.

INC commended the National Assembly members from Ondo for their position on the contested nomination.

The INC State Chairman in Ondo insisted that the proper thing to do is to appoint somebody from Arogbo Ijaw in Ese-Odo local government area, one of the two oil producing local government councils in the state to occupy the position.

He argued that the other oil producing council, the Ilaje Local Government Area has already produced the Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Mr Sam Erejuwa.

He noted also that Dr Victor Koledoye, an indigene of Apoi holds the position of Secretary of OSOPADEC.

He also pointed out that the newly screened and cleared Ondo State Representative to the NDDC, Hon. Gbenga Edema, is also an Ilaje man

Ominidougha stressed that the position of the Executive Director Projects of the NDDC should therefore go to Arogbo Ijaw having been excluded from all such appointments in the interest of fairness, equity and justice.

The full statement reads: “Ijaw National Congress (INC) Ondo State Chapter lends its voice to the disqualification of Mr Charles Ogunmola as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)’s Executive Director, Projects, who is from Owo Local Government by the National Assembly Screening Committee in compliance with NDDC Act in its emergency meeting during the week.

“Primarily, INC, Ondo State Chapter appreciates the Ondo State’s three Senators, the House of Representatives Members, Corporate bodies and individuals who stood solidly and squarely with the people of the Oil-Producing Local Governments of Ilaje and Ese-Odo to fight the cause of justice, fairness and equity.

“The Ondo State Chapter, INC posits that a qualified and responsible person from the Oil-Producing Areas be nominated for the position without further delay.

“In Ondo State, as at present, there is a body saddled with the responsibility of managing 40 percent of the 13 percent Oil Derivation Fund to the State which is called Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission ( OSOPADEC) that has its Chairman, Mr Sam Erejuwa, Secretary, Dr. Victor Koledoye who are Ilaje and Apoi persons respectively.

“Moreover,the newly screened and cleared Ondo State Representative to the NDDC, Hon. Gbenga Edema is also an Ilaje man.

“The Congress equally congratulates and wishes him an eventful and prosperous tenure.

The Congress therefore, opines that the Executive Director, Projects (EDP), NDDC in question be filled by an Arogbo-Ijaw man.

“This position of the Congress (INC) Ondo State Chapter is hinged on the fight for the cause of justice, fairness and equity that led to the disqualification of an Owo man from occupying it.

The Ondo State Government is called upon by the Congress to fairly recommend an Arogbo-Ijaw man because Arogbo-Ijaw man has not occupied such position in both Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) before.

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