The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Central Zone, has warned the Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Organizations (CNDCSOs) and the Niger Delta Ex-agitators’ Forum against their planned protest concerning the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
IYC argued that the coalition’s claims were unsubstantiated and did not reflect the progress made under the current NDDC administration. While acknowledging the region’s historical challenges, IYC rejected the allegations of financial mismanagement, political bias, and corruption presented by the CNDCSOs, calling them contradictory to the positive developments seen under the leadership of the Ogbuku-led NDDC. The group emphasized that the NDDC has focused on fairness and transparency, ensuring equitable opportunities for all nine Niger Delta states in terms of projects and employment.
Comrade Ginah Ikio, IYC’s Information Officer for the Central Zone, reiterated that the leadership of Chief Samuel Ogbuku is crucial for maintaining peace and progress in the Niger Delta, highlighting his focus on infrastructure, education, and sustainable economic growth. IYC expressed solidarity with Ogbuku and urged the coalition to pursue collaborative efforts to advance the region, rather than engage in divisive rhetoric.
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The IYC called on all Niger Delta stakeholders to support the NDDC, emphasizing that unity and cooperation would yield better results than protests that could strain relations with the federal government. The group also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard the unfounded claims from the CNDCSOs and acknowledge the efforts of Ogbuku and his leadership team. They expressed confidence that with continued federal support, the NDDC could successfully fulfill its mandate and bring transformative change to the region.
