NDDC: After Public Outcry, Tinubu Replaces Cross River, Ondo Nominees

President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate replacement of two nominees as members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board.

The nominees were to serve as Representatives of Cross River and Ondo States in the proposed NDDC Board.

Consequently, Mr. Asi Oku Okang has been replaced as Cross River State Representative with Rt. Hon. Orok Otuk Duke.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday night, the President has also approved the immediate replacement of the Ondo State Representative nominee, Mr. Victor Akinjo, with a new nominee, Hon. Otito Atikase.

Recall that protest had rocked Cross River State on Wednesday morning over the appointment of Asu Okang into the Board of the NDDC.

According to some Youth groups and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, Okang is prominent member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Also, another protest took place in Akure, the Ondo state capital, following the appointment of another PDP member, Hon Kolade Akinjo, as a board member of NDDC to represent Ondo State.

Youths within the APC under the auspices of Youth Coalition Group, who stormed the streets and invaded the APC party secretariat in Akure, expressed their grievances over the appointment of Akinjo from the opposition party, as the state’s representative in the commission.

Akinjo, the immediate-past member of House of Representatives representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State spent eight years at the green chamber and lost his third term bid under the platform of the PDP, to the APC candidate.

Furthermore, Ajuri said the immedate-past Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has been reappointed to a second term and will remain in acting capacity, pending the Senate’s confirmation of his reappointment.