A group, the Niger Delta Situation Room (NDSR) has called on leaders from the Niger Delta to close ranks and rally support for the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku to continue his revolutionary transformations, in the NDDC, since he took over as the substantive Managing Director.
The group made the appeal in a press conference in Port Harcourt. The group equally appealed to the various aggrieved groups including those that are planning to protest against the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, to sheath their swords and rather embrace constructive dialogue.
The Niger Delta Situation Room disclosed that a group allegedly sponsored by an interest group is said to be planning a protest against the NDDC Boss and want him removed by the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
The the Niger Delta Situation Room further faulted the Urhobo Cultural Eye Watch over a call to remove the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
The the Niger Delta Situation Room in a statement by its spokesman, Hon. Owhonda Nwakanma, on Wednesday, assured that the group and indeed the entire Niger Delta is solidly behind Ogbuku and the NDDC management board.
It accused the Urhobo Cultural Eye Watch of promoting hate and division in the region, adding that the group’s baseless claims is not only offensive but an attempt to undermine the unity of the region.
The the Niger Delta Situation Room also dismissed the allegations of nepotism, corruption, and political favoritism against the NDDC boss, adding that such allegations are a mere distraction to Ogbuku and his team.
“We believe that progress in the Niger Delta can only be achieved when all ethnic groups, whether Ijaw, Urhobo, Ikwerre, Ibibio, Efik, Anang, Itsekiri, Isoko, or others, work together with a shared vision for development.
“It is unfortunate that the Urhobo Cultural Eye Watch seems more interested in stoking division than in fostering the collaboration necessary to overcome the challenges our region faces.
“The NDDC, while serving all Niger Delta communities, must ensure that the Commission remains focused on sustainable development for the entire region.
“The the Niger Delta Situation Room categorically rejects the allegations of nepotism, corruption, and political favoritism leveled against Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
“These unsubstantiated claims only serve to distract us from the significant strides being made in the region’s development. The focus should remain on collective progress and not on malicious political narratives designed to disrupt the administration’s ability to function effectively.
“Furthermore, the accusation that Dr. Ogbuku funded a counter-protest to silence dissent is completely unfounded.
“The Niger Delta Situation Room is a legitimate, independent body that has consistently fought for the rights of the Niger Delta people, and our support for the leadership of the NDDC is based on merit, not coercion.”
Also, speaking, the Convener of the Niger Delta Situation Room, Sir. Hon. Karl Chinedu Uchegbu, while further pledging ithe groups commitment to the unity of the Niger Delta, said “true unity cannot be achieved through divisive rhetoric or the undermining of leadership that has been legally constituted.”
The body therefore urged the “all interest groups and leaders in the Niger Delta to reconsider their stance and work together with all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to address the region’s challenges constructively, with respect for the leadership of the NDDC.”
It further called “for unity, not division, in the pursuit of genuine development and prosperity for all the peoples of the Niger Delta”..
“We remain committed to the ideals of fairness, justice, and transparency in all matters concerning our region”, the group disclosed.