A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the South-South, Ayiri Emami, has attributed the influx of prominent politicians from the zone into the party to the performance of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) since President Bola Tinubu took office.
Notable politicians from the oil-rich zone, including three governors – Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori of Delta state and Douye Diri, have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for APC.
In an interview with journalists in Abuja, Emami stated that the development is not unrelated to the transformation of the region by the NDDC under the administration of Tinubu, whose mandate through the agency is being executed to the letter by the current Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.
According to him, for the first time, the NDDC has a proper vision and structure, and because of the leadership of the commission, which is initiating and executing impactful programmes, making the ruling party at the centre more attractive.
Emami said: “This is the first time you can see a pocket of projects across the region, and they will go and commission meaningful projects like the Omadino-Escravos road. The initiative originated through the NDDC, a joint venture involving Chevron, NNPC, and now the state government, which will enable a road connection from Warri to Escravos. You know what that means.
“So it takes an outstanding leader to have that kind of vision and to direct the Board. What we used to know about NDDC before now is that all our money used to end up in Abuja. But today, I think the young man (Ogbuku) is equally galvanising support for Mr President; whatever he’s doing, he gives his support.
“This is the first time you will see the board chairman and the MD working together as one. And our youth, too, are pleased. I can just tell you about my own area, particularly the Itsekiri area, if that’s okay with you. We believe that, with his own vision and ideas, he has been able to light up almost the entire community. When we don’t even have power now, students stay outside to read because, if you go to most of these communities, everywhere is being lit up with solar energy.
“So if it can happen in my place, and the man is an Ijaw man, what do you expect in his place? If you go to Imo State, similar things are happening. Road projects are ongoing, as are NYSC lodges and various other projects. So, I gave it to him. If he’s not doing well, I’ll let him know. But as I see it today, I think the man is performing. So, if he’s performing, where is the call for his removal and the allegations of plotting against the president coming from?”
The APC chieftain also expressed his delight over the defections of the political top brass from the South-South, particularly from Delta State, into the APC, saying he is no longer a voice to be ignored when it comes to supporting President Bola Tinubu.
“Some of us were the low voices. We were almost crucified in the Niger Delta region when we were supporting Asiwaju, but we thank God. The most essential thing in life is that when you are convinced and you have a belief, you follow that belief. Many people lack a clear ideology in terms of their political leanings and lifestyle. However, some of us still manage to hold our own personal ideologies and beliefs. So I believe in the man. I believe in his person and think highly of his virtue because, as a young man, I have had the opportunity to sit with him. I have listened to him and seen him perform. At the time, I had a lot of conviction that if Asiwaju became president, we could turn things around.
“But then in our region, you know, people just believe in who will give to them. Many people were fighting Asiwaju, not because He was not a good person, but because they thought he knew too much. I have had several conversations with many people from my region. They will tell you, Oh, we prefer people from the north because they don’t know more about our area. But there isn’t any story we want to tell Asiwaju about our region that he won’t understand.
“So I now find out that some of them are fighting because they don’t want Asiwaju. If you ask them what Asiwaju actually did, they don’t have one reason. They will tell you, ‘Let us be with northerners; they don’t know much about our area.’
If Asiwaju comes, he knows everything, and really, being in the office, a lot of loopholes have been blocked. So you can see people crying. They are not just crying that Nigeria is not moving forward, but because of those shady things they were doing, Asiwaju begins to knock them down.
“Some of the promises he made to us that he will make Warri Port work, and you know, during the Buhari era, we had been going to the Villa, but you can see, in two years, he has voted money for the Port now and even the Omadino- Escravos roads that will pass through Gbaramatu. There are several steps to be taken before the paperwork is finalised between NNPC, Chevron, and NDDC. A lot of things are happening. And when people see that, they actually have our interests in mind.
“So, I think those are the convictions with his policies that made the governors from the South South to say no, if we didn’t support him before, now the man is doing what is going to favour us, so there is a need to help him. His performance gave conviction to those people. I’m happy that they are coming because the type of work I was doing in 2022 and 2023 will allow me to be more relaxed.
Those who didn’t wear the Asiwaju cap are now wearing it day and night. So I’m happy. Then I used to wear it. If I go to clubs, some people would stone me. If I go anywhere, they hit me. I’m now happy to see people wearing Asiwaju’s shirt and his cap. So I’m so glad. So if you see me now, I don’t even wear it. I’m happy that they are all on board, and it’s thanks to his hard work. And I believe people in the Niger Delta, if he’s not doing well, they would say, “We are not going to follow him,” he added.
Emami also declared that he was not part of those who opposed the coming of the Delta governor, Sheriff, into the APC because his interest has always been the success of President Tinubu.
“You said when the present governor was coming to join the APC in Delta, a lot of people did not welcome him. I was not part of it. I, Ayiri Emami, was not part of it because, first, my interest lies with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And if the man said he’s coming to support Mr President, who am I to say I’m not going to help him?
“I only have a little difference with him. The difference was that if you are coming, please try to bring along those whom you meet there. That was just my issue. And that’s why I said I was not part of those who were going to tell Asiwaju that the governor who was coming should not be welcomed.
“My reasons are these: if I said I’m supporting Asiwaju and the governor is coming to support Asiwaju, I don’t think it is something I have to start going around telling the governor not to come. But I will say this. My own was different from those who didn’t want the Sheriff to go in.
“My position has been that if the Sheriff was coming, Mr President and leaders of the party, please, ensure that those who have been there should not be oppressed. Let us fashion a way that everybody can work together.
“As of today, I know there is a lot of talk among the leaders to ensure that everybody works together. So I have never gone to Mr President to try to stop the Governor’s Sheriff. Because I would rather look out for the President’s interest. So, whatever I have to do, I support the Sheriff because he, too, supports the President. In 2023, I did not support the Sheriff. I supported Ovie Omo Agege, but Sheriff won. But Mr President also won the election.
“So today, the Sheriff is supporting Mr President. So I have no choice but to support the Sheriff. So I’ve never been part of those ganging up against him. I’m not a sycophant. I don’t just rush into things. I wait. But what I said was that the Sheriff should not come and swallow those who have been making the party virile,” he added.
