From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Foremost Niger Delta group Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ignore calls for the sack of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) boss, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, being sponsored by a faceless group known as Niger Delta Elders for Good Governance and Accountability, (NDEGGA).
MOSIEND, while reacting to an online publication purportedly signed by one Chief Donald Ewere described as falsehood reports of cold war among top presidency officials over the fate of Ogbuku.
MOSIEND, in a statement signed by its National President, Kennedy Tonjo West, distanced the people of the Niger Delta region from NDEGGA.
According to West, it is saddening that the antics of NDEGGA is coming at a time when the region is very peaceful and all the stakeholders are fully behind Ogbuku and his developmental agenda which has made the call for his revalidation as substantive Managing Director of the NDDC imperative.
“This is a wicked and devilish craft – trying to make the public look as if these leaders are fighting. Ogbuku is very committed to bringing the vision of President Bola Tinubu concerning the region to fruition, and has gotten the confidence of the people.
“This is someone who has listening ears and consults widely before he does anything, and for the first time, Niger Deltans are gathering behind Ogbuku to continue irrespective of tribe, “he said.
“How can one imagine that the Senate President who knows the yearnings of the people of the region, who knows the level of support Dr. Samuel Ogbuku is galvanizing for him and the presidency, how he is holding the region firmly for Mr. President, especially during the fuel subsidy removal, would be the one to work against the revalidation of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku?
“Akpabio, the SGF and the chief of staff to the President know the importance of Ogbuku to the federal government and we know that they have a common interest in seeing that Dr. Ogbuku is allowed to continue to execute the visions of the presidency to the people of the region. Ogbuku is a very important asset to both Akpabio, the SGF, the Chief of Staff to the President and Mr. President himself, and we know that there cannot be any infighting because they are well aware that everybody, irrespective of ethnicity or party, wants him (Ogbuku) to continue.”
While maintaining that changing Ogbuku will not be a very wise decision, West called on those behind the faceless and baseless publication to desist forthwith and not misrepresent the minds of the Niger Delta people because of their overwhelming hunger and poverty.
He also implored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revalidate Ogbuku’s appointment as substantive Managing Director of the NDDC.