By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
A group of ex-militant leaders under the auspices of the Niger Delta Movement for Development (NDMD) has taken a swipe at Ebikabowei Victor-Ben popularly called Boyloaf, for his recent verbal attacks against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The Convener, NDMD, Comrade Victor Mathew, described the comments credited to Boyloaf against the former Akwa Ibom State Governor as a tissue of lies saying that Boyloaf was being sponsored by enemies of the region to pull down the minister.
He said Boyloaf should have settled his personal problems with Akpabio instead of allowing persons, who never meant well for the region to use him.
Describing the comments of the ex-militant leader as most uncharitable, irresponsible and unbecoming of an ex-agitator, Mathew in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said Akpabio’s towering performance had become a nightmare for some persons, who had recruited the likes of Boyloaf to tarnish his image.
He said another sin Akpabio committed against persons like Boyloaf was his refusal to share the money earmarked for the developmental projects in the Niger Delta region.
According to him Akpabio’s insistence on pursuing the completion of abandoned critical projects in the region has pitched him against the likes of Boyloaf, who rather want him to share the money meant for such projects.
Matthew said: “What did Boyloaf actually agitate for? Is it for money to be shared or for development to come to the region? If it is for development then he should not have problems with the Minister.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio is a proven performer. Since he became the Minister of Niger Delta, he has been working diligently to develop the region. It is on record that massive work is ongoing at the East-West road, which was hitherto abandoned.
“Soon, significant section of that road will be completed. Look at the office complex of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that was abandoned for 25 years. It took an Akpabio to complete and commission that complex, which has become one of the most beautiful edifice in the region”.
Matthew asked Boyloaf to tender unreserved apology to Akpabio for associating the minister with tribalism and claiming that his ministry and the NDDC had become an extention of Akwa Ibom Government House.
He recalled that Boyloaf’s brother from Bayelsa State, Prof Keme Pondei, was given an opportunity by Akpabio to head the former Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“This is another lie told by Boyloaf. The Minister as we know him has been a detribalised and generous individual. His personal aides and workers hail from different states in the Niger Delta region and the country. Besides, the minister is known for presenting opportunities to people based only on their competencies.
“He has carried all stakeholders in the Niger Delta along and that is why the region has remained peaceful since his emergence as a minister. Where was Boyloaf when the Minister nominated Prof. Keme Pondei, Boyloaf’s kinsman from Bayelsa to head the past Interim Management Committee (IMC) of NDDC?” He said.
