A group called – Oro Indigenous Forum (OIF) has hailed president Buhari for appointing Mr Effiong Akwa as the interim administrator for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
They have also cautioned individuals and groups opposed to the appointment to have a change of heart as this would be inimical to the unity and growth of the Niger Delta.
A statement signed by Mr Enenyi Edidiong, President and Mr Harry Johnson , Secretary on Thursday in Uyo, the group condemned some splinter youth groups in the region opposed Akwa’s appointment.
Our Correspondents also recalled that since the appointment was announced by the Presidency, some pressure groups, youths groups from certain parts of the Niger Delta region have been expressing anger against the appointment of Mr Akwa, who is an indigene of Akwa Ibom, as Sole Administrator of NDDC by the Federal Government.
It described the actions of such splinter groups as diversionary and capable of derailing the genuine intention behind the forensic audit of the commission.
“We have read series of publications on both print and social media platforms, from pressure groups and individuals, calling on the President & Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, to remove Barr Effiong Akwa as Sole Administrator of the NDDC against his appointment by Mr President few months ago.
“The Publications, of which was made without convincing emphasis on the reasons that should necessitate such extreme call, is obviously spurious, lame and speaks volume of the clandestine plans and schemes, mischievously birthed to further plunge the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) into the hands of the people that will rip it apart.
“Akwa, is an Oro son, qualified according to the extant laws that established the NDDC, and possesses the requisite educational qualifications with the experience to man the affairs of NDDC hence, the reason we are compelled to speak as Oro indigenes.
“The NDDC has been on the front burner of discuss, with negative headlines trailing the commission in time recent, rather than for people or groups to call on Mr President to ensure that the forensic audit is successful completed, they are mischievously challenging the discretion of Mr President who is vested with the power to appoint and fire – this alone is worrisome, hilarious and has exposed the cancelled ulterior motives.” The statement explained.
The group said that calling for Akwa’s sack after a careful and thorough scrutiny of his personal by Mr President would not be the agitation that should be done by pressure groups and individuals in the Niger Delta right at the moment.
The group expressed confidence in the capacity and ability of the interim administrator to deliver on the mandate of his appointment.
“As a people we know that Okon Akwa has the stuff that it takes to return the commission to its original developmental agency.” It said.
The group which also expressed support for the appointment for Senator Godswill Akpabio as the minister of Niger Delta affairs asked him to intervene warning that agitations of such nature were capable of inciting and instigating disunity and ethnic tension.
