From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Niger Delta Peace Advocates (NDPA), the conscience of the people of Nigeria’s oil-producing communities has countered reports linking the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku to the 2027 Bayelsa governorship race.
The group has therefore demanded that politicians in the region should desist from distracting the management of the NDDC on its mission to serve the people.
The coordinator of NDPA, Timi Apere in a statement stated that there is a devious plot by some politicians to destabilise the NDDC, and give the impression that the Board and Management are not focused on the development of the Niger Delta region.
According to him, the present NDDC management is focused on developing the region and some politicians not comfortable with the performance of the Board and the rising profile of Dr Ogbuku are plotting to bring the NDDC down.
Apere who pointed out that the NDPA’s alarm was necessary said successive Boards and Managements of the NDDC have been subjected to smear campaigns, fabricated stories and absurd allegations meant to tarnish the image of the officials, with a view to removing them from office.
The statement reads in part: ‘’The Niger Delta Peace Advocates can affirm that the current NDDC board and management are doing things differently by adopting new strategies. We are convinced that it is a new dawn at the Commission and the era of underhand practices is over.
‘’It is, therefore, preposterous for any one to claim that the NDDC leadership is not working for the general good of the people. It is common knowledge that the Commission has invested in numerous infrastructural developments, especially on roads, electricity, healthcare, education, human capacity building, agriculture and environment.
‘’It is even more surprising that the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku is being accused of serving personal interest rather than promoting the interest of the region. They go as far as accusing him of nursing the ambition of contesting in the Bayelsa State governorship election in 2027.
‘’These allegations are being spread by enemies of the Niger Delta region, who do not want the new Board and Management of the NDDC to succeed. The false claims are meant to sow a seed of discord in the region and scuttle the plans of the Commission to fast-track the development process.’’
‘’From our interactions with Dr Ogbuku, we can say without equivocation that he is not nursing the ambition of contesting for governorship in Bayelsa State, as it is not consistent with his pledge to revamp the NDDC to serve the interest of our region and the country.
‘’We appeal to those weaving this political scheme around Dr Ogbuku to desist forthwith and allow him to concentrate on the task of implementing the NDDC mandate of facilitating rapid and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.’’