By Eseoghene Emuke
An Ijaw group, Delta Ijaw Political Machineries (DIPM), has berated governors of the Niger Delta region for rejecting the appointment of the new board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The contended that the governors have no legal right to interfere in the appointment of persons into the board by the President.
Governors of the region led by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Seriake Dickson had kicked against the newly constituted board after a meeting held last Thursday in Abuja.
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But DIPM, while reacting to the position of the governors, condemned their interference, saying that the appointment of the new board was in order and represents the wishes of the people of the region.
A statement signed by Delta Ijaw Political Machineries’ National Coordinator, Hon. Stanley Garry, explaining that it was the prerogative of Mr. President to appoint persons of his choice to man positions of authority, federal agencies, parastatals and boards.
Garry said, “President Buhari has stated it clearly; that it’s only the Ministry of Niger Delta affairs has the controlling authority to supervise the affairs and activities of the NDDC. So governors of oil-producing states have no powers to nominate persons for Mr. President who has the privilege to do so.”
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The group expressed total support for the appointment of Dr. Pius Odubu and Mr. Bernard Okumagba as Chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission respectively, described the duo as unassuming, humane technocrats with international repute that will make NDDC achieve its Master plan.
