Delta, Bayelsa Oil Communities Lose Bid To Stop NDDC Chairman’s Appointment

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has applauded the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which on Friday affirmed his appointment.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, the court dismissed a suit filed by oil-producing communities in Bayelsa and Delta against President Bola Tinubu over Ebie’s appointment on the grounds that Ebie’s was not from an oil producing community.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the prayers sought by the plaintiffs had become a mere academic exercise since it had become statute-barred, stating that the plaintiffs failed to institute the action within three months after President Tinubu made the appointment, as prescribed by the law.
But Ebie said, “By the ruling, the judiciary has once again proved that justice is never lacking in the Temple of Justice.” He expressed delight that the ruling had finally resolved all ambiguity and misrepresentation of facts surrounding the provisions of the NDDC Act on appointments.
Ebie noted that the judgment confirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s foresight and reputation for resolving all ambiguity and misrepresentation of facts surrounding the provisions of the ting in compliance with extant laws regarding appointments to public office.
He dedicated the legal victory to God and Niger Deltans of goodwill while extending a hand of fellowship to all critical stakeholders to join the NDDC governing board and management to consolidate the significant shift in the region’s infrastructural and socio-economic development.
According to him, “The judgment is remarkable and will further spur my dedication to leadership and enable me to make invaluable contributions to the development of the region.”
The NDDC chairman stressed the need for holistic and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region and urged all stakeholders to shun divisiveness and rally around the present governing board and management in sustaining the peace and harmony within the commission for the past 11 months.
“Looking at the level of peace and harmony among members of the governing board and management, I am confident that we will continue to excel and reach new heights of excellent-quality service delivery to the region and its people.
“I call on all Niger Deltans to shun all forms of distractions through frivolous litigations that distract the Commission’s governing board and management and, in its place, imbibe the virtues of commitment and other positive attributes needed to foster peace and unity, promoting innovation for impactful strides for advancing development of the region.