The North Central Development Initiative (NCDI) has appealed to the Nigerian government to ensure that only individuals of integrity and competence are appointed to lead the newly established North Central Development Commission (NCDC).
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the group’s general national director, Comrade Musa Ali Otigba, emphasised the need for appointees who genuinely care about the region’s progress rather than those who might exploit the commission for personal gain.
“We emphasise the credibility of those to be appointed to avoid unnecessary embezzlement of our people’s collective resources,” Otigba stated.
He also announced plans to establish monitoring mechanisms to ensure the commission delivers on its mandate.
The NCDI expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, and lawmakers for their roles in establishing the NCDC.
The group also urged state governors in the North Central region to set up a joint security network to address rising insecurity and support the commission’s developmental projects.
“We appeal to the governors and state Houses of Assembly to urgently consider establishing a security outfit like ‘Amotekun’ in the South West and ‘Ebubeagu’ in the South East,” Otigba said.
In addition, the NCDI called on President Tinubu and All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to uphold the 2022 zoning formula by returning the party’s national chairmanship to the North Central region.
With the APC preparing for a national convention ahead of the 2027 elections, the group stressed that maintaining regional balance in leadership would strengthen the party’s support in the zone.
“The North Central is an APC stronghold, as seen in the 2023 general elections, where all but one governor in the region emerged from the party,” Otigba noted.
