Delegates and leaders from the Niger Delta region on Tuesday said anyone who thought President Muhammadu Buhari could abandon the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) forensic report was living in cloud-cuckoo land.
The respected leaders also described President Buhari as having the right motives.
At a meeting to discuss problems and issues in the region, the leaders highly appreciated the untiring efforts of President Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabiot to transform the region.
Specifically, the leaders applauded Akpabio for his persuasiveness, extraordinary commitment to transparency and contributions to the rapid development of the oil rich region.
The leaders underscored Akpabio’s vision for a peaceful and prosperous Niger Delta region.
Meeting under the aegis of the United Niger Delta Democratic Front (UNDDF), the leaders applauded Akpabio for his persistence and track record of success.
The leaders hailed the President of the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Forum, Mr. Terry Obieh for his consistent and constructive engagements with stakeholders to address developmental challenges in the region.
They voiced disappointment at words like pliant, fringe groups and diversionary actions used by the President of the Niger Delta Elders Forum, Chief Tonye Ogbogbula recently.
‘’The verbal attacks against Buhari and Akpabio by Tonye Ogbogbula should be supplemented with encouragement and gratitude’’
A statement by the UNDDF after the meeting criticized Ogbogbula for his smear campaign against President Buhari and Senator Akpabio.
‘’Chief Godswill Akpabio is not retarding the development of the Niger Delta region’’
Signed by UNDDF spokesperson, Chief John Harry, the leaders accused Ogbogbula for falling into bankrupt politicians mind-set, thinking the only way out of the Niger Delta crisis is the inauguration of NDDC Board, fictitious contracts and business as usual policy.
The statement commended the Conference of Presidents-General of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities (CPGNDEN), Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the Ikwerre People’s Congress (IPC) Worldwide, Isoko Development Union (IDU), the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) and Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT) for supporting the current moves of the Federal Government.
The statement also commended youths, women, civil society organizations and other stakeholders in the nine Niger Delta states.