Niger Delta Group Rejects Lauretta Onochie’s Appointment As NDDC Chairman
“MACBAN could do this in articulating a Fulbe perspective in response to the present level of violence as a natural reaction to deprivation, marginalisation, and balkanisation of the Fulbe into different nation states in West Africa,” he said.
Abubakar also enjoined the leadership of MACBAN along with Fulbe civil society organisations, NGOs, and stakeholders to come up with an education policy that recognises and reflects the peculiar requirements of the Fulbe in the knowledge-driven of the 21st century.
The Sultan also tasked the executives to examine the pros and cons of an education policy that would insulate and isolate the Fulbe against one that makes them an inclusive egalitarian ethnic group.
He also emphasised the need for an urgent review of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) constitution, noting that the constitution of the association was due for review after 47 years of existence.
He appointed retired Justice Lawal Gummi, the Emir of Gummi to assemble a team of legal talents within the Fulbe community to assist him undertook the review of the constitution of MACBAN.
Also, Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe enjoined the new leadership of the association to adopt a new approach to addressing farmers’ and herders’ clashes.
The governor also emphasised the need for the new executives of MACBAN to address the incidence of social injustice among its members.
Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday promised to engage in regular consultations with NigerDelta leaders to facilitate the formulation of policies and initiatives that will enhance the region’s development.
He spoke in Oporoza, Gbaramotu Kingdom in the presence of traditional rulers from the kingdom led by the Pere of Gbaramotu Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Oboro Gbaraun II.
At the meeting, the APC presidential candidate bagged the second traditional title in two days- the ‘Iyelawei’ of Gbaramotu- meaning the torch bearer of the kingdom.
Receiving Asíwájú Tinubu
The leadership and members of the Coalition of Delta Ijaw Oil Producing Communities (CDIOPC) have described the appointment of Lauretta Onochie as the chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission as a “slap in the face”.
This is even as they congratulated Hon. Samuel Ogbuku on his appointment as managing director of the NDDC.
In a statement, the national coordinator of the coalition of Delta Ijaw Oil Producing Communities (CDIOPC), Comrade Covidolor, expressed in his palace, the Pere of Gbaramotu showered praises on the APC candidate, while praying for his success in the presidential election.
The traditional ruler urged Tinubu, if elected, to ensure the establishment of a deep sea port in Gbaramotu, industrial park in Ogidigben and good roads and bridges leading into the kingdom.
In his response, Asíwájú Tinubu promised to work to speed up the development of the region, saying he would engage in regular consultations with the leaders to implement initiatives and projects that would help the region.
“I’m one of you. My wife is a daughter of the Niger Delta. Your in-law is also your son. No be so?’, the APC presidential candidate asked appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for constituting the long-awaited board and making a credible Bayelsan the managing director.
He, however, said the appointment of the chairman was unacceptable and totally condemnable.
He said; “The Delta Ijaw has never tasted the position of the chairman right from inception and we felt, we have been marginalised, deprived relegated to the background again.
“Making Mrs. Lauretta chairman of the NDDC is not just an insult but, a heavy slap to the Delta Ijaws. The Ijaw communities in Delta in pidgin English to which the mammoth crowd yelled “Na so.”
He said he was aware the Warri-Escravos/Gbaramotu road had been awarded, pledging to ensure the completion of the road by getting the contractor involved to deliver on the project.
He also said if elected, the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Niger Delta Development Commission will serve the full purpose for which they were established.
“The man standing before you will implement whatever he promised. You need honesty, you need commitment to perform. I embody both.
“I know the road and I will carry the Niger Delta people along. We will consult your
State produces highest barrel of crude oil compare to other ethnic groups in the state yet, we have been treated as second class citizens.”
Th group called on President Buhari to quickly replace Lauretta with a Delta Ijaw man irrespective of political affiliation without further delay.
“It has come to our understanding that, Mr. President is taking our simplicity for granted and we are not going to stand erect with our hands, we will longer sleep with our two eyes closed until Mr. president make a u-turn by appointing an Ijaw man from Delta State.
“Mrs. Lauratta has never leaders for the development of Gbaramotu Kingdom and other associated communities.”
Tinubu was accompanied to the kingdom by the deputy Senate president and APC governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ovie OmoAgege; Governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Mai Mala Buni of Kano and Yobe States; minister of State, Petroleum Resources Timiprey Sylva; minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole.
Others on the entourage included former governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon; former minister of State, Niger Delta, Elder Orubebe; APC chairman in Delta State, Elder Sobotie, and a party chieftain in the state, Ayiri Emami. been in the Niger Delta Niger struggle, she doesn’t understand the struggle, she hasn’t contributed any quota for the betterment of the Niger Delta, she doesn’t know our needs and priorities. Therefore, she will only use any available fund in the agency to enrich herself and abandon the primary aim of the NDDC if screened and inaugurated.
“We know how to communicate our burdens to the Federal Government and if Mr. President refuse to give us hearing ear, we will use the normal language from the creeks of Niger Delta and federal government will hear from us sharply.”