Blackmail Against Akpabio, Dokubo, NDDC’s IMC Must Stop Now – Group

The United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) has called on stakeholders in the region to cease their ‘blackmailing cries’ against Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Interim Management Council of the NDDC.

The group also warned against blackmail of the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta and Chairman of the Niger Delta Amnesty Committee, Professor Charles Dokubo.

UNDEDSS is the coalition of civil action and self-determination organisations in the Niger Delta.

The warning was contained in a statement issued by its Secretary General, Mr. Tony I. Uranta, after its Annual General Meeting meeting in Warri on Saturday, December 21, 2019.

The group accused unnamed elements in the region and Abuja of attempting to keep the Niger Delta steeped in corruption and underdevelopment.

They claimed that some elements are out to scuttle all attempts to restore sanity to NDM, NDDC as well as the Amnesty Office on which are placed the responsibility to deliver and coordinate stability and development to the region.

UNDEDSS decried the incessant attacks on both the Minister of the Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Chairman of the Amnesty agency, Professor Charles Dokubo.

“The NDDC has been under the supervision of the Minister of the Niger Delta before the advent of Akpabio, so the lies being bandied about that Akpabio manipulated himself to gain control over NDDC billions must stop.

“And all right thinking stakeholders in the region are in support of the appointment by Mr. President of the current three-person Interim Management Council, IMC, that has been unveiling the rot in the commission since its inauguration.

Continuing, the group said, “and stop trying to clog its progress. Let everyone stop trying to blackmail Akpabio and President Buhari to forcefully enthrone the illegality of the putative Board confirmed in error by the Senate.”

UNDEDSS avers that fifth columnists are hell-bent on seeing that corruption thrives in the NDDC, the Amnesty Program and all other intervention agencies seeking to restore stability and development in the Niger Delta.

“Enemies of progress are also hell bent on scuttling the security programme which is the Amnesty Chairman’s mandate to prosecute, and refuse to see any good in Dokubo’s efforts”, said the UNDEDSS Scribe.

“Professor Dokubo’s office has its challenges, like every Nigerian government agency”, Mr. Uranta expatiated, “but, in tandem with the National Security Adviser’s office, he is delivering on his mandate in partnership with tested Niger Delta patriots”.

UNDEDSS however warns that it is not giving any ministry, department or agency a carte blanche approval, but will continue to partner with other stakeholders to monitor and evaluate all relevant MDAs’ performance strictly in the interest of the common good of the Niger Delta, Nigeria and humanity.