Niger Delta coalition,ex-Agitators issue Feb 26 protest notice to Tinubu

The Coalition of Niger Delta Civil Society Organizations (CNDCSOs), in collaboration with the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators' Forum, has notified President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of plans to stage a mass peaceful protest across the Niger Delta region and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on February 26, 2025.

The protest aims to address what the coalition describes as gross injustices, statutory violations, and administrative lapses in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In a letter to President Tinubu, also copied to key stakeholders, including Senate and House Committees on the Niger Delta, security agencies, and political leaders, the coalition expressed outrage over the appointment of Mr. Chiedu Ebie as Chairman of the NDDC Board, claiming he does not meet the statutory requirement of being from an oil-producing area, as mandated by the NDDC Establishment Act 2000. 

The group demanded his immediate removal and replacement with a qualified individual from an oil-producing area in Delta State, describing his appointment as a violation of the NDDC Act and one that has been widely condemned across the region.

The coalition also raised allegations against NDDC Managing Director, Mr. Samuel Ogbuku, accusing him of corruption and using the commission’s resources to further his political ambitions. 

They alleged that his tenure has been marked by unequal distribution of contracts, mismanagement of scholarship slots for political patronage, and secret employment practices favoring his hometown of Ogbia in Bayelsa State, while neglecting candidates from other Niger Delta states. 

Accusing Mr. Ogbuku of diverting public funds through a fraudulent youth internship program, the coalition described him as the worst Managing Director in the commission's history and demanded his immediate removal.

The group also called for the equitable distribution of contracts, projects, scholarships, and employment opportunities across all nine NDDC states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Rivers, and Ondo. 

They demanded that Mr. Ebie refund all benefits accrued during his tenure as NDDC Chairman, warning that failure to address their concerns would result in the shutdown of critical infrastructure, including the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt and the East-West Road.

The coalition revealed that a planned protest in November 2024 was suspended after political stakeholders requested time to resolve the issues, but lamented that no progress has been made despite a month-long grace period. 

They also expressed concerns about alleged threats of violence from Mr. Ogbuku and his associates, calling on security agencies to hold him accountable for any harm that may befall coalition members.

Signed by leaders such as Barr. Prince Nelson Gomeromo, Comr. Jackson Agbor, Comr. Birinumughan Jesse, Comr. Mike Owotorufa, Engr. Great Timi, Comr. John Itunu Akiri, and others, the letter emphasized the peaceful nature of the planned protest while reiterating the coalition’s resolve to secure justice and equity for the Niger Delta people.

This development highlights the growing tension between Niger Delta communities and the federal government, underscoring the urgent need for reforms in the administration of the NDDC.

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