Restore back the Niger delta ministry _ Dagogo

As opposition grows against President Bola Tinubu’s decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, regional stakeholder Ambassador Fubara Dagogo has called for its restoration, warning that its removal could hinder the development and stability of the region.

The ministry was established in response to demands from militant groups for recognition of the Niger Delta’s contributions to national wealth. However, in his recent cabinet reshuffle, President Tinubu replaced it with a Ministry of Regional Development, drawing significant criticism from local stakeholders.

Dagogo emphasized the importance of reinstating the ministry to maintain peace in the region and the country as a whole. He pointed out that the scrapping of the ministry might provoke a resurgence of violent protests that had previously been quelled through the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the ministry itself.

He noted that the decision reflects a lack of appreciation for the South South region’s strategic role in Nigeria’s economy. As a former candidate for local government chair in Rivers State, Dagogo stressed that the creation of other regional development commissions should not justify the abolition of the Niger Delta ministry, which was established for specific needs.

In a statement, Dagogo urged President Tinubu to reconsider his decision, highlighting the ministry’s vital role in fostering development and stability in the Niger Delta. He warned against a return to violence, stating that the region has already made significant progress thanks to the establishment of the NDDC and the ministry.

Dagogo also called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other lawmakers from the South South region to defend the ministry, stressing its importance for regional development. He reminded Akpabio of how the ministry had contributed to his own political ascent and questioned why lawmakers would remain passive in the face of what he described as a threat to the region’s interests.