Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, has called on President Bola Tinubu to remove Abia, Imo, and Ondo states from the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, through amendment of the 2000 Act establishing the commission.

This, he said was to remove Non-Niger Delta Oil Producing States of Abia, Imo and Ondo from the nine states that make up the NDDC.

The nine states are Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

The elder state man made the call at a news conference held in Abuja, Monday.

According to Clark, in the first instance, the inclusion of the three states in the commission was a political aberration.

He said: “If NDDC is to succeed, the three states should be severed from the act.

“NDDC should remain the six original Niger Delta Coastal States. All other oil-producing states should establish a relationship with the oil companies and Nigeria.

“This is particularly true now that oil has been found in other parts of Nigeria including Anambra which is already producing 0.9%, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Lagos States. They cannot therefore be part of NDDC.

“The NDDC Establishment Act 2000 signed by the then Senate President Chuba Okadigbo outlined the functions of the nine states and who should be the Executive Management.

“One should bear in mind that the addition of Ondo, Imo and Abia was a political aberration.
For me to demand for the removal of Non-Niger Delta Oil Producing States from NDDC is for NDDC to succeed.

“The success of the NDDC is the success of Nigeria. There was a reason why Imo, Abia and Ondo were brought into NDDC. Geographically they are not niger delta; they are not coastal states. It was a political aberration.

“The Federal Government should make arrangements to accommodate them as it is in NDCC same principle to be used not to disorganised the NDDC we want to succeed.”

He likened the NDDC to a liability company which also has majority shareholders and minority shareholders.

“A situation where a minority shareholder in a limited liability company would like to be a managing director of the company, it is unreasonable, improper and chaotic.

“That is the main reason why I said no. It is not possible for a minority shareholder of even 5 per cent to be the Chairman or Managing Director of the limited liability company.
“It will be unfair and inequitable for a state that produces 1.02 per cent to produce a managing director of the NDDC.

“I know Nigeria as we are, the tendency will be to develop their own minority oil-producing state to develop their area at the expense of the majority of oil-producing states which incidentally happen to sum up to over 90 per cent of the oil.

“It is therefore, unreasonable, provocative and selfish for Imo which produces only 1.02 per cent quantum of oil to demand removal of the Chief Executives of NDDC Board that has been confirmed by the Senate.”

Reacting, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said Clark’s “vituperative rhetoric” and “exclusionary” stance are an affront to national cohesion, unity, and a promotion of ethnic bigotry.

The Secretary-General of the group, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, made this known in a press statement he issued on Wednesday.

Isiguzoro called on President Bola Tinubu to disregard Clark’s “unhealthy vituperation and sweep it into the dustbin of history where it belongs”.

The statement read, “Chief Clark’s proposal to expel Abia, Imo, and Ondo states from the NDDC based on their geographical location and quantity of oil deposits is not only misguided but also reeks of parochialism.

“Such exclusionary suggestions are detrimental to the progress and unity of our great nation. We call on President Bola Tinubu to disregard Clark’s unhealthy vituperation and sweep it into the dustbin of history where it belongs.

“It is disheartening that Chief Clark, a prominent leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, would resort to such parochial barbarism and satanic rhetoric. Instead of promoting unity and inclusivity, he chooses to foster division and animosity among Nigerians.

“His views do not reflect the position of the Niger Delta region or the values of a united Nigeria.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo expected Chief Clark to advocate for the gazetting of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s recognition of the Old Anambra River Basins as oil-producing states.

“This recognition includes Anambra, Enugu, and Kogi states, which should be rightfully incorporated into the NDDC. We believe that such a move would foster economic development and create opportunities for all Nigerians.

“Furthermore, we condemn in the strongest terms Chief Clark’s disregard for the economic hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.

“His exclusionary stance and divisive rhetoric only serve to exacerbate the challenges faced by our nation. It is disappointing to see a leader of Chief Clark’s stature express personal views that do not reflect the collective aspirations of the Niger Delta region.”

The group, however, reiterated its commitment to national unity, cohesion, and the promotion of a Nigeria, where every citizen is accorded equal rights and opportunities.

“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to reject and condemn divisive rhetoric that undermines our national fabric.

“We urge President Bola Tinubu and other leaders to rise above such divisive discourse and work towards fostering unity, inclusivity, and economic development for all Nigerians.

“Together, we can build a stronger and more prosperous nation, where every region and ethnic group contributes to the well-being of our beloved country,” the statement added.