Ultimatum: ADF replies Ijaw Youth Council on NDDC Board Constitution
The Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF) has replied Ijaw Youth Council on the recent threat to shutdown Niger Delta Region if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to constitute Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
The body in a press releas by its media directorate frowned at what they described as confrontational approaches and issuance of threats as exemplified by the IYC in their recent press briefing.
It could be recalled that the President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Peter Timothy Igbifa while addressing a press conference issued one month ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to constitute the Board of NDDC that has representation from all the nine states of the region or they will paralyse activities in the region.
The release reads:
“The ADF recalls with reservations and misgivings the press conference of threat by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) World wide, agitating for the constitution of the Board of NDDC.
” While ADF appreciates the need for genuine agitation as tool for the advancement of society towards collective good, it frowns at confrontational approaches and issuance of threats as exemplified by the one recently undertaken by Dcn. Comrade Peter Timothy Igbifa, the 8th President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, whose views in that press briefing were adversarial, provocative and in every material particular counter productive and unsavoury to the objective of encouraging development in the region.
“IYC, in the impudent press conference, ordered President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, to immediately constitute the Niger Delta Development Commission Board, within one month and threatened to shut down oil operations/activities in the Niger Delta region if their demand is not acceded to within the period.
“IYC, in its action has ignored fundamental realities including appropriate communication with persuasive content that could make the appropriate organs of government to act on the request with swift and unhindered cooperation.
” The group has also refused to appreciate the Buhari administration’s special attention to the Niger Delta region which has witnessed the completion of the over 25 years drudgery that trailed the headquarters building of NDDC and the earnest resumption of work on the East West road.
“While not relegating the importance to constitute the NDDC Board, it is important to examine the circumstances that necessitated the delay and which has led to the current situation of non constitution of board.
” The governors of the Niger Delta had in their meeting with Mr President, requested that a Forensic Audit be conducted on the activities of NDDC to reposition her for optimal development of the region, and President Buhari being a listening President, acceded to the request and ordered for a forensic audit of the Commission accordingly.
“The Forensic Audit which is ongoing and conducted by auditors of reputable acclaim, is at the verge of completing that novel assignment, having reached the stage of visiting each of the nine States to evaluate completed, ongoing and abandoned projects, with the intent of ensuring that all the projects are completed for the benefit of the people.
“It is therefore against the grain of rational thinking for IYC to suddenly appear at this verge to give an ultimatum that has a seeming intent to frustrate and truncate the Forensic Audit.
” It is open knowledge that every genuine Niger Deltan saw the need for the Forensic Audit and invested patience to see to its actualization, knowing that a repositioned Niger Delta would be in the interest and collective good of the region.
” The action of IYC seems therefore to be at variance with the interest of the region, giving vent to widespread suspicion that the the body is enjoying the sponsorship of people whose vested interest has been the bane that is working against the development of the Niger Delta.
“While we may not share this position even as patent and obvious as it is, we wish wish to caution IYC not to act in manners that would continue to give the people of Niger Delta reason to see them as saboteurs and number one public enemy of the region, as currently being perceived.
“We wish to reiterate that the Niger Delta region belongs to us all and we have a responsibility to guide, protect and ensure the development of the region without allowing these ideals to be jeopardised by selfish people, who are willing to sell the Niger Delta for a marsh of porridge.
“ADF wishes to once again thank Niger Delta people who have continued to support Mr President and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs for their steadfastness as these personalities have shown courage and determination to change the narrative of the Niger Delta.
“We urge the IYC to allow the interest of Niger Delta to override all other considerations and review their stand in the interest of the
region.
” We thank Mr President and the Minister for the faithful roles they are playing to ensure that the Niger Delta breathes a fresh air of development during this administration, with a consequential conviction that the era would build a template for the sustainable development of Niger Delta region.”
