Ex-militants in Ondo State have issued a warning that the Niger Delta region will experience instability if any nominations for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, board are not from the oil-producing community in the State.
The ex-militants specifically protested President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of Charles Ogunmola to be the commission’s Executive Director, Projects.
Recall that the senators from the State and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, had opposed Ogunmola’s nomination on the basis that he is from Owo, and not from the State’s oil-producing area.
Ogunmola’s nomination, according to the senators and Akeredolu, was in violation of the act establishing the commission.
The nomination of Ogunmola “could threaten the peace being enjoyed by the people of the area,” according to a statement made available to newsmen in Akure and jointly signed by Gens. Job Omotuwa and Ogailo Ibori.
The State governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, received praise from the former militants for supporting the senators from the State who opposed the appointment of Ogunmola as the Executive Director Project of NDDC, despite the fact that Ogunmola is his kinsman from Owo Local Government and not from the State’s oil-producing region.
They characterised Akeredolu as a tenacious fighter who consistently speaks up for the truth, particularly when it comes to an issue that affects national security at this pivotal juncture of our developing democracy.
“We stand to resist any attempt by any individual or government officials to be working through the back door to deny us and give same to Mr Charles Ogunmola from Owo local government, a non-oil producing local government Area of the State, contrary to the dictates of the year 2000 NDDC Act as amended,” the group said.
