Ex-warlords warn against ‘shortchanging’ Urhobos in constitution of NDDC board

By Elo Edremoda, Warri

A forum of Urhobo/Isoko ex-warlords have warned against perceived plots to “shortchange” the Urhobos in the inauguration of a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The warning is coming less than 48 hours to the June 30 deadline for the constitution of the NDDC board.

Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio had visited the region in the heat of an ultimatum issued to the Federal Government with a promise to “fast track” the process for the board’s constitution.

The managing director of the already screened board, Mr. Bernard Okumagba hails from the Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta state.

The forum urged ex-agitators of Urhobo and Isoko ethnic nationalities to unite in order to ensure smooth development and empowerment in their areas across the Niger Delta.

The agitators, rising from deliberation on the state of affairs in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and the NDDC resolved that a united front by the sister ethnic nations will usher in the dividends of democracy to their land.

They also called on the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to include them in his developmental activities in the state.

The group inaugurated a 15-man committee to be chaired by Gen. Figbele Joseph, Gen. Solo Adu as Vice-Chairman) and Gen. H. M Ebirie as secretary-general.

READ ALSO: ‘Niger Deltans will be happy with NDDC board’

A statement made available to newsmen by the ex-militants leaders reads thus: “in as much as it is only ‘unity of purpose’ that can drive a developing society to achieve anticipated massive infrastructural and sustainable development, it is a paramount necessity for all members of the Urhobo-Isoko ex-agitators forum to unite purposefully to take the bull by the horn to help allay the fears of the Urhobo-Isoko Nation.

“It is high time the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who is fortunately from the Urhobo nation to involve the Urhobo-Isoko ex-agitators in his democratic activities especially on the distribution of the dividend of democracy and that any form of deprivation henceforth will be resisted despite who is involved.

“That the ex-agitators forum will not tolerate any form of shortchanging of an Urhobo son in the NDDC substantive board even as they call for the immediate constitution of the board and any further delay might cause another fresh phase of the struggle.

“Also resolved that an Urhobo-Isoko ex-agitators must have a representative in the Presidential Amnesty Programme for easy communications and fast attendance of the challenges and complaints of the group.

“Following the security threats across the country, the ex-militants commended the position of the Southsouth Governors over the evacuation of Fulani herdsmen in the Niger Delta territories.”