The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been cautioned to desist from playing politics with the inauguration of the substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Julius Babogha who gave the warning in Warri, Delta State, said the delay by Akpabio to inaugurate a substantive board of the NDDC undermines the collective wish and aspiration of the people of the region.
Babogha noted the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs was by his action playing on the intelligence and strength of the Niger Delta people particularly the youths who have continued to exercise restraint in the midst of the provocations arising from the delay in inaugurating the board.
He vehemently faulted the tactical approaches so far adopted by Akpabio in delaying in inaugurating the NDDC’s substantive board, despite series of calls and appeals to him to without further delay put the board in place.
Babogha said, “This deliberate act of Akpabio is certainly politicking with fortunes of Niger Deltans for personal gains, and this can no longer be condoned by the people of Niger Deltans that has been patiently waiting.
“The under-development of Niger Delta is not a generational curse, it’s the handiwork of bad leaders and Akpabio is one of the problems and he should stop politicking with NDDC and face his job at the ministry.
“I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to end the nightmare by ordering Akpabio to do the needful for the inauguration of the board without further delay, else all blame should be heaped on Akpabio if the situation gets out of hand.”
