The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) Worldwide and the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF) have called on protesters demanding a Delta State indigene as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to withdraw their protests and embrace peaceful dialogue.
The call for calm follows recent agitation by the Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Network, which petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that a Delta State indigene should replace Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as NDDC Managing Director. The coalition accused the current NDDC management of corruption and mismanagement, threatening mass protests if their demands were ignored.
Addressing journalists in Abuja after engaging with the protesters, NDYC National Coordinator, Engr. Jator Abido, dismissed the allegations against the NDDC leadership. He insisted that the current management team has been performing effectively and should be supported rather than opposed.
The NDYC strongly rejected accusations of mismanagement within the NDDC, as well as claims that the appointment of the current board violated the NDDC Act. The group maintained that such allegations were misleading and unfounded.
Speaking on the matter, Abido stated that the ongoing protests were unnecessary and could disrupt peace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He urged the protesters to seek dialogue rather than resorting to demonstrations.
“What we have witnessed here is unnecessary. There is no justification for disrupting the peace of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) simply due to dissatisfaction with leadership changes,” Abido stated.
He further emphasized that the NDDC leadership under Dr. Ogbuku has been performing credibly well and deserves support. According to him, it is essential for stakeholders to set aside personal sentiments and work towards the progress of the Niger Delta.
Abido also defended President Tinubu, stating that he is an attentive leader who listens to the concerns of the people. He dismissed claims that the President violated the NDDC Act in appointing the commission’s board, insisting that those spreading such narratives were only seeking personal benefits at the expense of the region’s development.
President Tinubu is a leader who listens to his people. It is misleading to suggest that he breached the NDDC Act in appointing the board. Those pushing such narratives are only seeking personal gain at the expense of the region’s progress,” he added.
He further stressed that supporting the current NDDC leadership is in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes sustainable development in the Niger Delta. He assured that the President would not have remained silent if there were genuine cases of corruption or mismanagement.
The NDYC commended the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Security Service (DSS) for professionally managing the situation and preventing any escalation.
Abido expressed gratitude to the security agencies for their swift intervention, which ensured that tensions between the Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Network and the NDYC did not spiral out of control. He reaffirmed the NDYC’s unwavering support for President Tinubu’s administration and the leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and Chiedu Ebie at the NDDC.
“We appreciate the security agencies for their intervention. The standoff between the Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Network and the NDYC was unnecessary, but we remain resolute in our support for President Tinubu’s administration and the leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and Chiedu Ebie at the NDDC,” Abido noted.
According to Abido, the NDYC has no hidden agenda except ensuring the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
In a joint statement, NDYC Board of Trustees member Engr. Beke Apere and Public Relations Officer Comr. Akowien Joshua urged all aggrieved parties to rally behind the current NDDC leadership for the collective progress of the region.
They called on Niger Delta youths and stakeholders to reject violence and embrace dialogue as the best approach to resolving grievances. They warned that continued protests could be hijacked by external forces seeking to destabilize the region.
“As responsible youth leaders, we must prioritize dialogue and constructive engagement over actions that could derail progress,” the statement read.
The NDYC and NDENYLF reiterated their commitment to fostering unity and development in the Niger Delta. They urged all stakeholders to work together towards a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
