A Coalition of civil Society Organizations, CSO operating in the Niger Delta region of the country led by South-South Advocacy Movement, S-SAM has expressed full confidence in the capacity and competence of the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Godswill Akpabio to bring about quality leadership his office requires to deliver in the good governance objectives of President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration. The group also condemned in strong terms the call by Niger Delta Ijaw Development and Response Assembly, NDIDRA for sack of the Honourable Minister describing it as malicious, mischievous and incongruous with common sense.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja Wednesday and signed by the duo of the National coordinator and National Secretary, of the group Comrade Owuru Johnson E and Engr Piriye Bowei Monday respectively, it absolved Akpabio of corruption and abuse of office allegations reiterating that he has not violated any law relating to over-seeing the NDDC as an agency of government under his ambit.
S-SAM further called on President Mohammadu Buhari to discountenance the call for the Minister’s removal as it callous, mischievous and in bad faith. It explained that the orderly and harmonious working relationship existing between the Honourable Minister and the IMC of NDDC should not be misconstrued to being autocratic just as being watchful on the activities of NDDC generally accepted to have been mismanaged and requiring sanitization, should not be mistaken as hijacking the commission or turning it to a one man show. Further, it enlightened that Obong Akpabio is more knowledgeable and knows where to draw the line saying that due diligence should not be sacrificed on the altar of granting autonomy.
It added that the Minister’s decision to inaugurate an interim Management Board, IMB of NDDC is apt and is to enhance the success of presidential directive for a forensic audit of the commission which overtime have been putrefying in sleaze, with the result that not much can be shown for the huge government investment in it. “Under this condition, no minister that worth his position would fold hands and watch a new management board to inherit the mess as that will amount to laying foundation for failure,” it pointed out.
It described Obong Akpabio as representing one proactive and prolific political office holder south-south zone of the country should be proud of at least based on his sterling track records. “Thus we, as an advocacy group, view the call for his removal as unreasonable, despicable and bordering on malice. Moreover, it flies in the face of scruple to suppose that NDIDRA is out of touch with current development within the NDDC’s management, as it relates to the executive directive for a forensic audit of its management”, the statement added.
The statement also thanked President Buhari for appointing Akpabio whose past outstanding achievements as former governor of the oil-rich state still speak for him. It went further that as long as we are under no illusion he will surely turn around the fortunes of the ministry, stressing that it is unrealistic, wicked and misleading to dub him as autocratic, corrupt or clannish which he is not. It pointed that he has started well by laying a foundation that will guarantee sustainable development of the NDDC states, and should be given a chance to complete it.
The statement added “From what we have gathered, there is no specific evidence of corruption or corrupt tendency NDIDRA can point out against the Hon Minister in all that it complained about. Rather, it struggles to link the minister with former Managing Director it alleged awarded bogus contract in 2016 without specifications, which are not factual, as we know no contracts can be awarded without monetary figures tied to it. What is visible is that NDIDRA is angry that Mrs Joy Nunieh who was exposed to have putrid profile unbefitting of her office was sacked as MD of NDDC and as a result it is desperate to bring the good name of the Hon Minister and the IMC to disrepute.
The statement however urged the Hon Minister to not to be distracted by NDIDRA or similar anti-establishment in his onerous duty of repositioning the Niger Delta Ministry or agencies under it. “Every success story breeds jealousy and that explains reason behind some disgruntled elements who are bent on witch-hunting and blackmailing you to stand-still at all cost. With the support of majority of the people of Niger Delta and confidence the president placed on you and faith in God, posterity will surely vindicate you”. The statement concluded.
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