Some aggrieved youths in Port Harcourt in Rivers State on Friday staged a peaceful demonstration at the premises of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to kick against plans to extend the tenure of the agency’s board.
During the protest, youths carried placards, dancing and singing solidarity songs. They said it was wrong for the CEO of NDDC, Mr Nsima Udo Ekere, who doubles as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, to transfer power to the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Mene Derek.
Addressing reporters during the protest organized by a coalition of groups, leader of the Niger Delta Front, Mr John Harry, said the leaders and youths decided on the protest to stop the handing over, plan to extend the tenure of the current board and abuse of office.
He called on the National Assembly to wield the big stick to stop the crisis in the commission by dissolving the NDDC board.
He also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his good office and leadership position to maintain peace in the region by urgently appointing a sole administrator to oversee the management of the commission.
“The handing over is unacceptable. It is illegal,” Mr Harry said.
The present NDDC board tenure of Mr Ndoma Egba, and others elapsed on October 31, 2018 in line with the terms of their appointment and the law establishing NDDC, which clearly stated that they were to complete their respective state’s tenures.
Where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the board, it shall be filled by the appointment of a successor to hold office for the remainder of the term of office of his predecessor.
The NDDC ACT 2000 provides for the rotation of the commission’s leadership amongst the nine member states of Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo Ondo and Rivers in alphabetical order. The positions of Managing Director, Executive Director (Projects) and Executive Director (Finance) also follow the rotational policy under Part 4, Section 12 of the NDDC ACT.
He also urged President Buhari to implement the NDDC Act.
Adedapo Adesanya