Niger Delta Leaders Write Buhari, Make Fresh Demands

Leaders Make Appeal To President Buhari

Some leaders from the Niger Delta Region of the country have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to choose Deltans as the next Chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Their request was contained in a letter signed by the Convener, Enlightened Delta Forum, Bestman Odibo and Publicity Secretary, Christopher Orushani which Naija News understands was sent to Buhari on Wednesday.

Titled: ‘Letter establishing the fact on which state should produce the next Chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC,’ it urged Mr. President to be fair and just in choosing the next board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The leaders in their letter as reported by Daily Post, however, stated that they have no intention to create controversy by their action but to bear their mind on the peculiarity of their situation.

The letter reads:

“Mr. President, Nations are built when existing laws are implemented in its entirety.

“As you apply the Law and zero on Delta State for the appointment of the Chairman and Managing Director, we plead with you to pick men or women who would further your Next Agenda, serve the interest of the country and the aspirations of the Niger Delta people.

“The ranking of the highest producing states is not in doubt and the state whose turn it is to be appointed the Managing Director of the next board for which Delta State comes top on all fronts and consideration knowing that Bayelsa State, Rivers State, and Akwa-Ibom State have completed their terms in successive ranking order.

“Your Excellency, your stance on the Rule of Law and love for fairness and justice no matter the opinion of a few dissenting voices necessitated this letter of great importance from the people of Delta State and the Niger Delta at large.

“We were never in doubt as to where the pendulum would swing to, having seen the sincerity of your administration in fixing the problems inherited by your Government.

“For the first time, Your Excellency, a peculiar but interesting and lawful scenario backed by the act establishing the NDDC Board on the next Chairman of the board which is rotated amongst member states in alphabetic order as stated in the Act establishing the board and also the Managing Director (MD) position which is appointed and rotated based on the “highest” quantum of oil produced amongst the states emanating from one state. In applying the law that supports quantum as the basis for succession, Delta State falls next in line after Akwa – Ibom’.

“Your Excellency, we are glad to point to you the convergence of the positions of the Chairman and the Managing Director to Delta State though the first of its kind but a true reflection of the position of the Act establishing the Board of the NDDC,” the leaders added.