The South South Reawakening Group, a prominent pressure group in the Niger Delta region, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow the Niger Delta Development Commission management, led by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, to complete its tenure.
According to the group, Ogbuku, representing Bayelsa on the NDDC board, should serve his full four-year term, renewable as stipulated in the Commission’s Act.
The SSRG cited Section 3 of the Act, which states that board members shall hold office for an initial four-year term, renewable for another four years, according to ThisDay.
In a statement made available to the press on Friday, SSRG Convener Joseph Ambakederimo emphasized that the federal government should adhere to the NDDC establishment Act of 2000, as amended. He stressed that statutory appointments should run their full course for continuity and accountability.
The group noted that Dr. Ogbuku’s appointment, made by President Tinubu, began in August 2023 and should terminate in August 2027, without ambiguity.
SSRG warned against interim management ideas, stating that such arrangements have historically led to mismanagement and misapplication of resources.
The group urged those pushing for changes to respect the NDDC establishment Act and allow Bayelsa State to complete its tenure through Dr. Ogbuku. SSRG believes that disrupting the current management would only benefit a select few who view the NDDC as their personal fiefdom.
This development highlights tensions surrounding NDDC leadership and the need for adherence to established laws and procedures. The SSRG’s appeal comes amid concerns about then commission’s effectiveness in promoting regional development.
Quoting from Part 1 of the Act, the group maintained that Section 3 deals with Tenure of the office of Board members noting that Section 3 (1) states “subject to the provisions of section 4th of this Act, a member of the Board, other than an ex-officio member, shall hold office for a term of 4 years at the first instance and may be reappointed for a further term of 4 years and no more.
“The letters and provisions of the NDDC establishment Act 2000 as amended should be sacrosanct and upheld by all. The NDDC establishment Act is the Bible that should be our guidance at all times and has to be respected. Therefore anything that is smuggled into this document to be implemented is alien and should be rejected by all,” it added.
SSRG therefore warned that nobody give thought to the interim management idea some persons were pushing, adding, “it will not be beneficial to the region and it’s people, but beneficial to only a few who have always seen the NDDC as their personal fiefdom.
“A better part of the life of the NDDC has been run on adhoc arrangement with nothing tangible to show within these period other than tales of woes of mismanagement and misapplication of resources which has become counterproductive to the overall development of the region.”