The Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Organizations (CNDCSO), in collaboration with the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators' Forum, has announced its intention to stage a mass peaceful protest across the region on November 25, 2024.
The coalition formally addressed a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing deep concerns over alleged legal violations and administrative failures within the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In their notice, signed by leading figures from both the CNDCSO and the Ex-Agitators' Forum, the coalition highlighted discontent with the current leadership of the NDDC.
Central to their grievances is the appointment of Mr. Chiedu Ebie as Chairman of the NDDC Board.
The group contends that Ebie’s appointment breaches the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment Etc.) Act 2000, which stipulates that the chairman must be selected from an oil-producing area. The coalition argues that Ebie, from Agbor-Alidinma in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, does not fulfill this requirement, sparking widespread dissatisfaction across the region.
The coalition also raised serious concerns about the conduct of the Managing Director, Mr. Samuel Ogbuku. They allege that Ogbuku has been engaging in favoritism and politicizing the NDDC’s developmental agenda, accusing him of using contracts and scholarship slots as tools for political gain in his bid for the 2025 Bayelsa State governorship.
The coalition expressed frustration over what it described as Ogbuku’s efforts to curry favor with political figures in Abuja and Yenagoa, which they believe distracts from the commission’s mission of promoting equitable development.
The protest notice further criticized the current approach to distributing contracts and scholarships, calling for fair and balanced allocation across the nine member states of the NDDC: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Rivers, and Ondo.
The coalition stressed that education should be viewed as a key legacy and demanded reforms to ensure that scholarship slots are allocated fairly, empowering youths across the entire region rather than being used as political favors.
The coalition announced plans for a mass peaceful protest, set to begin on November 25, and emphasized their commitment to exercising their constitutional rights as guaranteed by Sections 39, 40, and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
The group warned that if their demands are not addressed, they might escalate their actions, including the potential shutdown of the East-West Roads, a major artery in the Niger Delta.
They demanded the removal of both Mr. Ebie as Chairman and Mr. Ogbuku as Managing Director, citing the need for leaders who prioritize inclusive development. Additionally, they called for a more equitable distribution of contracts, projects, and scholarships to reflect the diverse needs of the region.
The coalition hinted at the possibility of taking their demonstration to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, if their concerns are not resolved after the planned protest. This escalation would be aimed at drawing national attention to what they describe as systemic injustices within the NDDC.
The protest notice was signed by key figures, including Comrade Jesse Birinumughan (Gen. 90), Leader of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators' Forum, and Comrade Jackson Agbor, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Leaders of Thoughts (IYLT).
It also received endorsements from national coordinators of various Niger Delta advocacy groups, such as the Concern Nigerians for Good Governance (CNFGG) and the Niger Delta Civil Liberty Organization (NDCLO).
Copies of the notice were sent to relevant officials, including Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the NDDC; Hon. Erhiatake Ibori, Chairperson of the House Committee on the NDDC; the Inspector General of Police; and the Director General of the Department of State Security Service (DSS). This wide dissemination underscores the coalition’s serious stance on the issues raised.
As the date of the protest draws near, stakeholders and residents of the Niger Delta are looking to the federal government for a prompt and decisive response, in hopes of resolving the issues and fostering a more unified approach to development in the region.
