NDDC: Ondo APC, Group Reject Appointments, Seek Redress

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has rejected the nomination of Kolade Akinjo as the state representative on the governing board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Leaders of the party, in a virtual meeting, yesterday, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the appointment of Hon Ifedayo Abegunde, as the executive director, Corporate Services of the Commission, a statement by the publicity secretary of APC in Ondo State, Alex Kalejaye said.

He added that the state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, presided over the emergency meeting.

In a related development, the Progressive Advocates Initiative, (PAI) rejected NDDC appointments as it relates to Ondo State.

The group, in an open letter to the president, signed by the chairman and secretary of Progressive Advocates Initiative, Augustine Akinkunmi and Adebayo Adubiaro respectively, said loyal party members were sidelined in the state.

However, the APC chieftains, who reaffirmed loyalty to the president, applauded his efforts to rebuild the economy in the interest of every Nigerian.

“We concede to Mr. President the right to appoint any qualified Nigerian to any office, having given him the popular mandate to preside over our affairs.

“We only wish to remind Your Excellency that Mr. Kolade Victor Akinjo was the House of Representatives candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the presidential election, having served two terms on the platform of the opposition party.

“It is equally pertinent to aver that while Mr. President’s desire to instill an all-inclusive governance for the good of the people, we doubt if anyone who worked assiduously for his party, the PDP, as well as his presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku on the potency of anti-APC sloganeering, fits better than our teeming members for the plum job.

“It is, therefore, our fear that appointing such a man into an influential position could demoralize our members, particularly in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, who contributed immensely to the overall votes from the Sunshine State.

“We have no doubt, in the circumstance, that Mr President will revisit the nomination of Akinjo as the Ondo State Representative on the NDDC’s Governing Board and bring on board someone known to have worked for the party.”

However, the APC chieftains hailed the appointment of Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, describing him as a committed party leader, who worked tirelessly for the party, before and during the general elections.

While restating unwavering support for the ongoing economic reforms, the chapter further commended the president for the palliative offered states to cushion the temporary effects of subsidy removal.

“The leadership of the ruling party in Ondo appeals to our dear president to take a second look at the appointment of Mr. Akinjo, to avoid the unpleasant situation of ‘Monkey dey work, Baboon dey chop’”, the leaders added.

The Progressive Advocates Initiative, in its open letter, condemned the appointment of the NDDC managing director from Bayelsa State instead of Ondo State as well as the nomination of Hon Ifedayo Abegunde ‘Abena’ and Hon Victor Akinjo from the PDP.

The letter which was made available to LEADERSHIP, stated that it is the turn of Ondo State to produce the managing director of the NDDC.

While noting that Bayelsa State, for several years, has occupied the MD position and created imbalance in the representation of different states within the NDDC, the group sai,d “As a state that has made significant contributions to the development of the oil and gas sector, Ondo State deserves its fair share of the leadership of this crucial organisation.”

The group stated that Bayelsa State currently holds the position of minister of State, Petroleum Resources, while Akwa Ibom State holds the position of minister of State, Gas Resources, and Edo State holds the position of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

“Given these existing appointments, it is only just and equitable that Ondo State, as the fifth largest producer of crude oil in Nigeria, assume the position of Managing Director of the NDDC.

“This would ensure a fair distribution of leadership responsibilities among the oil-producing states and promote inclusivity in the decision-making processes of the commission.

“We firmly believe that by appointing a Managing Director from Ondo State, the NDDC will benefit from the rich experiences and insights that Ondo State brings to the table. Ondo State has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the oil and gas sector, and its active participation in the leadership of the NDDC will undoubtedly contribute to the overall effectiveness and success of the commission’s mandate.

“Your Excellency, the current Managing Director, was given a two-year tenure by President Muhammadu Buhari to complete the residue of Bayelsa State’s tenure.

“Chief Samuel Ogboku was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to complete what was considered a two-year residue. However, following the dissolution of the former board, where Ondo State was clearly shortchanged, Bayelsa State should not be granted another four-year term. Therefore, it is only fair and just that Ondo State be given the opportunity to produce the managing director.

“Furthermore, we would like to highlight a specific concern regarding the nomination of Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde as the Executive Director, Corporate Affairs. It has come to our attention that Hon. Abegunde is not from the oil-producing area of Ondo State, which is in direct violation of Section 12(1) of the NDDC Act 2000, as amended. According to this Act, anyone occupying the position of Executive Director must hail from the oil-producing area of the state.

“In Ondo State, Ilaje Local Government is the only council that falls within the oil-producing LGA category. However, Hon. Abegunde hails from Akure South Local Government, which is not an oil-producing area of Ondo State.

“Sections 12 (1) of the Act stipulates thus: “There shall be for the Commission, a Managing Director, and two Executive Directors who shall be indigenes of oil producing areas starting with the member states of the Commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate amongst member states in the order of production.”

“We believe that strict adherence to the provisions of the NDDC Act is crucial to ensuring fair representation and effective leadership within the commission. By doing so, you will not only uphold the rule of law but also promote transparency and accountability in the selection process.

“Mr President, one of the major concerns we also wish to highlight is the nomination of Hon. Kolade Akinjo as the representative of Ondo State on the board. It will interest you to know that Hon. Akinjo was the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25th House of Representatives election for the Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency. However, he lost to our great party, the APC. We find it demoralising that the first political position coming to the area has been given to a member of the opposition party. This raises questions regarding the reward for loyalty within our party.

“Moreover, we are fully aware of the individuals behind these nominations and appointments and their motivations. During the tenure of the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, as Speaker of the House of Representatives, the current Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, served as the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, while Mr. Akinjo was a member of the committee. It is evident to us that these appointments were made as a result of a prearranged arrangement to undermine the loyalists of our party. We strongly believe that such actions do not serve the best interests of our party and its long-term stability.