A socio-cultural group, Benin United Forum (BUF), Monday, faulted the allegations levelled against the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, over political appointments and project allocations in Edo South senatorial district of Edo State, by the Benin National Congress (BNC), describing the tirade as
outright ‘witch-hunt and blackmail’.
The Benin National Congress had last weekend in a statement signed by Amb. Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo and Comrade Maxwell Uwagboe, President and Secretary respectively, alleged that five major projects under the Niger Delta Ministry in the 2024 budget were allocated/sited exclusively in Edo North where the Minister hails from to the exclusion of other parts of the Niger Delta communities, especially Edo South Senatorial District – being the area with oil and gas production basin of the Niger Delta.
But, the Benin United Forum in a press statement jointly signed by Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture and Osayuki Benson, President and Secretary General, respectively, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Benin City, advised the duo of Edokpolo and Uwagboe to desist from what they called ‘pull-him-down’ syndrome in the name of agitation.
The statement noted, “Ironically, we would have ignore the authors of the witch-hunting and self-serving press statement but history will not be kind to us who have been outspoken against maladministration in Niger Delta region and Edo State in particular if we fail to set the record straight.
“History has it that this is the first time Edo is producing Minister of Niger Delta Affairs as against the unfair practice by former Presidents of Nigeria. We want to sincerely once again thank President Ahmed Tinubu, who changed the narrative by appointing Edo man as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, who is Rt. Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh.
“We wish to ask them why have they been so quiet and remain unperturbed and challenged them to interrogate how Edo State Government used the 13% derivation given by Federal Government for the development of our dear state??
“When last did you call to order the past and present NDDC Representatives who are from our Senatorial District for their lopsided representations and poor handling of projects and people living in the oil rich communities domiciled in Edo South Senatorial District?
“When Godwin Obaseki fought his way out to deprive Benin/Edo man from being inaugurated as NDDC Chairman?When Godwin Obaseki was dragging Artefacts with our revered Palace?
“When the immediate-past Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehainire, could not secure one single project to Edo South nor empower Edo people?
“Like the adage goes, charity begins at home. Thus, it is on this note that we want to advise Aiyamenkhue Edokpolor and Maxwell Uwagboe to start their agitation cum engagement from Edo South leaders who have under-developed our Senatorial District rather than pursuing shadow.”
