The Niger Delta Development Front (NDDF) has condemned the opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of Charles Ogunmola into the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The President wants Ogunmola, from Owo Local Government in Ondo State, confirmed as Executive Director of Projects.
On Monday, some former militants warned of unrest if the nominee is allowed to assume the role. They argue that he is from Owo, which does not produce oil.
In reply, the NDDF lambasted Ondo Senators for rejecting Ogunmola during screening. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is also reportedly against the nomination.
The statement was signed by the Coordinator, Secretary and Publicity Secretary, Ovie Bobarakuie, Kingsley Ebiowou and Solomon Orighomisan, respectively.
The NDDF said “faceless and rapacious politicians” were hiding under the guise of ex-militants to further their agenda, which has deprived the region of development.
The body of ex-agitators said the lawmakers from the state were angry over the “rejection by their constituents”, recalling Rotimi Amaechi was confirmed Minister in 2015 despite rejection by Rivers Senators.
The NDDF faulted the Ondo legislators’ position that NDDC positions are meant to be occupied by only indigenes of oil-producing areas, stressing that anyone from a member state can be appointed.
“We sympathise with the Senators because their rejection is an exercise in futility as the Senate, in its wisdom, will not disgrace the President who legitimately exercised the rights conferred on him by the NDDC Act.
“If nominations are done by where oil is explored, then Mr. Gbenga Edema from Ilaje LGA, whom President Buhari nominated as a NDDC Commissioner, should be dropped because there’s no oil in his village in Ilaje.”
The statement urged security agencies to arrest those issuing threats should there be a breakdown of law and order in Ilaje/Ese Odo and other areas.
The group, however, bemoaned the ocean incursion into the Ayetoro community in Ilaje despite reports indicating that the contract for the reclamation had been awarded.
