Benson Enikuomehin, a former representative of Ondo State on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has come under fire from the people of Ilaje over his assertion that candidates from the state are not from the oil-producing community.
The people under the auspices of Ilaje Unity Forum, claimed that Enikuomehin given his exposure should have known Hon. Gbenga Edema, who served as the most recent chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, OSOPADEC, is not only qualified but also from an oil-producing community.
In response to Enikuomehin’s interview on Galaxy Television, the group issued a statement, which was made available to reporters in Akure, the state capital, and was signed by its chairman, Stephen Jatuwase, and secretary, Olabanji Orogbemi, describing Enikuomehin’s claims as unfounded and spurious.
The group said that Edema, who is from the oil-producing community of Ogogoro in the state’s Ilaje Local Government Area, is perfectly qualified to serve as the next Managing Director of NDDC.
Jatuwase insisted that Enikuomehin openly displayed and revealed his ignorance of events in his local government while stating that it is Ondo State’s turn to produce the Managing Director of the Commission.
The group emphasized that the matter of Edema’s ability to serve in organizations in charge of areas that produce oil had been appropriately and sufficiently resolved as a result of a lawsuit filed at the Ondo State High Court in 2017.
Jatuwase noted that Edema presided over OSOPADEC honourably and spotlessly from 2017 to 2021, adding that Edema was selected for the NDDC position by the President and subsequently screened and confirmed by the Senate in accordance with Section 12 (1) of the NDDC Act.
The group also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the NDDC board as soon as possible to help it begin its mission, which is to fully develop the Niger Delta region.
“We watch the interview of Benson Enikuomehin on Galaxy Television and we were dismay at the level of ignorance displayed in his attempt of shying away from the truth.
“For a lawyer to have exhibited such level of ignorance despite existing court ruling shows that he has totally lost touch with facts on ground.
“Being a lawyer that he claimed, Enikuomehin ought to be aware that the issue of Edema not being from the oil producing area of Ondo State had been laid to rest as far back in 2017 in Suit No HOK/27/2017. Otunba Erejuwa & 6 Ors. v. Governor of Ondo State & 2 Ors.
