Posted by Niger Delta Youth Council
The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) Worldwide, a socio-cultural organisaton that represents the interests of youths in the Niger Delta Region and The Niger Delta Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders forum NDENYLF has called on those protesting over alleged marginalisation of Delta State in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to shield their swords.
Recall that the Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Network had earlier this week written to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the appointment of a Delta State indigene as the Managing Director of NDDC following the expiration of the tenure of Dr. Samuel Ugbuku. They also accused management of corruption and mismanagement, threatening to protest if their demands are met.
However, the NDYC vowed to counter the protests and rejected the allegations that there is mismanagement in NDDC as well as insinuations that the NDDC Act was breached in the appointment of the NDDC Board.
Addressing the press in Federal Capital Territory Abuja after engaging a crowd of protesters who Were Protesting Engr. Jator Abido, the National Coordinator of NDYC
Worldwide
Engr Beke Apere BOT NDYC, Comr Akowien Joshua PRO NDYC prevailed on all aggrieved persons and asked them to continue to support the Samuel Ubuku led NDDC management for the good of the region.
“What we have witnessed here is needless and there’s no need to protest and or to disturb the peace of the FCT simply because we want a change in leadership or we are dissatisfied with a leader. So far the current management of NDDC has performed credibly well and we must put sentiments and support them.
“Mr. President is an attentive leader who listens to his people. It is therefore misleading to insinuate that Mr. President breach the NDDC Act in appointing the current Board of NDDC. Those propagating such falsehood are only interested in enriching themselves at the expense of the masses in the region.
“It is imperative to note that supporting the current management of NDDC is supporting Mr President and his Renewed Hope Agenda. We all know that Mr President wants the Best for the Niger Delta region and could not have gone against the law or remain silent if there was mismanagement of our collective resources by a few”, Engr. Jator Abido stated.
The group also thanked the Nigeria Police Force, The Department of State Security Service for their swift intervention for containing the situation in the most professional manner.
“We are grateful for the Securities for their intervention. The escalation between the Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Network and the NDYC Worldwide was uncalled for but we remain steadfast in our support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Dr. Samuel Ugbuku and Chiedu Evie led NDDC. We do not have any personal interests except to ensure sustainable development of our region.
The press briefing ended with a call on youths in the region and other interest groups to “shun violence and embrace dialogue, lest their protests be hijacked by enemies of development to unleash mayhem on a region already battered by insecurity and environmental degradation”.