The Niger Delta Development Agenda (NDDA), has called for a truce in the ongoing misunderstanding between senate president, Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan for the interest of the region.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the convener, NDDA, Iteveh Nur’ Ekpokpobe, said the reshuffling of the Senate committees’ leadership, which saw Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan from Kogi State replaced as chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, and Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas from Delta State announced as the new chairman has been the underlining tune behind the whole rubbles coming out of the senate throughout the week.
The group however said with Akpabio, a Niger Deltan and Natasha, a wife and a daughter-in-law of the region, there is need for them to work together for the interest and development of the region.
Part of the statement read, “First, the Niger Delta Development Agenda, hereby describes the senate president, Akpabio as the defender of the Niger Delta. We wish to commend him for his leadership acumen in bringing the chicken home to roost.
“Senator Natasha has enjoyed the privilege of heading the Local Content committee because of her marital affiliations to the Niger Delta region. Nothing more and nothing less. If the senate leadership which made her a chairman decides to remove her as chairman, so be it.
“The contribution of the Niger Delta region to the economic development of our beloved country cannot be overemphasized. The chairmanship of the Local Content Committee provides ample opportunity for interaction with all stakeholders in the oil exploration sector, hence it would be tantamount to great disservice if this all important portfolio is given to anybody outside the Niger Delta Region,”
