(Opinion) NDDC: Marginalizing Ondo, others By Bolanle Bolawole

It is only in the Nigeria of the Peoples Democratic Party where impunity reigned supreme and clearly-stated constitutional provisions were trampled underfoot, that the mindless marginalization of Ondo, Edo, Imo, Abia (to some extent) and Cross River states in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) could have flourished. Four out of the nine members of the NNDC, namely Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers (the so-called “Big Four”) have maintained a vice-like stranglehold over the three key Management positions of the Commission to the total exclusion of the “Small Five”. This is one instance in a democracy where majority did not carry the vote! Worse, it has not even been allowed a voice! Those who thought this glaring injustice would be corrected under an APC “CHANGE” administration must have been jolted when Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, erstwhile Commissioner for Information under Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (now Minister of Transportation) was named the new NDDC Managing Director/CEO by Buhari. Is this the hand of Amaechi or simply ignorance of the facts on the part of Buhari? Have the oppressed “Small Five” slept on their rights, as it were?
NDDC was created by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration on June 5, 2000 with headquarters in Port-Harcourt, Rivers state; it has nine members. But since its creation, only four of the nine have monopolised the key Management positions of Managing Director/CEO, Executive Director (Finance and Administration); and Executive Director (Projects). The four monopolists are Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states. Delta has occupied all three positions (total number of years: 15); Bayelsa have been MD and ED, F&A. Total number of years: 8); Akwa Ibom has bagged the ED (Projects) twice and MD/CEO once (Total number of years: 11) while Rivers state has bagged all three positions (Total number of years: 10). The so-called minnows; Ondo, Edo, Imo, Abia, and Cross River have not smelled any of the three positions, not for one fleeting moment. As for the post of Chairman, which the law stated must be rotated amongst the members in an alphabetical order; this has been scrupulously adhered to. I suspect this to have been so because the post is likely more ceremonial than executive. Two: Obasanjo, who started NDDC, played by the rules. If other presidents who came after him have done likewise, we would not have had the lop-sidedness that has all but vitiated the raison d’être for the NDDC. Three: Following the alphabetical order also favours the “Big Four”, two of whom (Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom) have thus also been Chairman, in addition to their monopolising the three Management positions.
This is not only unjust but also a sure invitation to anarchy. It is in breach of the provisions of the law setting up the NDDC and stands in clear contradiction of its vision and mission. The NDDC was established “with the mission of facilitating the rapid, even, and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative, and politically peaceful”. The marginalisation of five out of nine member-states negatives the “even development” of the region while also threatening its “social stability” and “political peace.” If the top Management positions were this unrepresentative, it is better imagined what the Commission’s staffing, citing of development projects, and contract awards would be! Were the aggrieved states to resort to militancy to press home their demands, the peace of the region; nay, of Nigeria as a whole, will be breached. One of the NDDC’s mandate is “identifying factors inhibiting the development of the Niger Delta region and assisting the member-states in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of the resources of the … region”; this marginalisation is one of such “inhibiting factors” and redressing the imbalance is one sure way to promote and “assist … even and sustainable development” of NDDC member-states.
Ondo state, being the fifth in the order of “importance” as per the quantum of crude oil produced from its soil, should produce the current MD/CEO of NDDC, rather than Rivers state producing it the second time; the first being in 2009. Interestingly, whereas both Ondo and Rivers are PDP-controlled states, the former is the only NDDC state that gave APC/Buhari majority votes in the last presidential election. I suspect that the clout of Amaechi and the reticence about or hostility of APC leaders from the South-west towards Ondo’s Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, who is the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, must have cost the state the NDDC plum post. But the South-west APC as well as the Presidency would be making grievous mistakes to politicise or reduce this crying case for fairness and justice to selfish motivations and petty political squabbles. I therefore recommend that the APC/Buhari presidency do justice as well as compensate Ondo state for its support in the last presidential election by giving it the well-deserved MD/CEO position of NDDC. I hope Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is listening! Fair is fair, as they say. Two: The entire political leadership of the South-west must rise up as one man and rally round Ondo to make this fight that of the entire region. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu should please lead the way. Three: Gov. Segun Mimiko should correctly read the times and put the interest of Ondo people over political considerations by reaching out to the presidency firmly on this issue. Charity, they say, begins from home; therefore, Mimiko should mend fences and enlist the full force of the South-west in this fight. He does not need to cross-carpet to do that. Four: This is one task for the energetic, purposeful, and forward-looking new Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. He should waste no time in rallying the entire South-west to robustly engage the presidency on this issue. Finally, the other marginalized states of Abia, Edo, Cross River and Imo should rally round Ondo to call the bluff of the so-called “Big Four” and get justice. The time to act together and shun divide-and-rule is now!
INSURGENCY: Are we winning this war?
Official government explanation is that since Buhari assumed office last May, the tempo and tenor of the war against Boko Haram has changed; the fight has been taken to the insurgents and no more do our forces cut and run from the criminals. The momentum is now with us and levels have changed; or, as they say, power has changed hands and we are now firmly ensconced in the driver’s seat. Evidence of this is that, whereas Boko Haram under erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan controlled a swath of territory in the north-east of the country bigger than many countries in Europe, it has now been flushed out of such territories. So audacious was Boko Haram in those terrible days that it sent advance notice to communities to be attacked and also hoisted its flag over captured territories, which included the villages of very important military and civilian leaders, among whom was erstwhile Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh. Mercifully, no more! We recognise and salute this achievement by Buhari and our gallant armed forces. However, it is too early to rejoice or get complacent over Boko Haram. If anything, the war is far from won yet. Apart from the fact that the Chibok girls are yet to be rescued and Boko Haram leader Shekau smoked out of hiding and brought to justice, the bombing campaign Boko Haram still conducts all over the place with audacious impunity (pardon, is there any grammar like that?) is unacceptable. Buhari says the insurgents’ resort to “soft targets” is evidence that its ability to go on the offensive has been degraded; maybe, but the “soft targets” they pick at will is unacceptable. Hardly a week passes without Boko Haram wreaking havoc on so-called soft targets. Only last week, it stormed Dalori, a village just four kilometres outside of Maiduguri, and operated unchallenged for hours, leaving death and destruction in its wake. I say this is unacceptable! Add the burgeoning Biafra resurgence and come-backing Niger Delta militancy to the bill and we could, truly, be sitting on gunpowder kegs.
FEEDBACK
I feel obliged to let you know that I felt greatly impressed by your last write-up. What with the comprehensive catalogue of do-goods that our country did for fellow Blacks, our kith and kin (?) in South Africa in their critical times of need! I remember that apart from what our leaders did, which you rightly highlighted, our artistes, led by the irrepressible Sonny Okosun, with his hit song “Papa’s Land”, did a great job of sensitizing and mobilising the world against apartheid. As you pointed out, it is sad that the Blacks, after their emancipation, repaid us evil for good. And regarding the actions of our leaders on the fine imposed on MTN, I concur with your words of exasperation that “what specie of human beings are we?” One can only pray God to imbue our leaders as well as the led with a true sense of patriotism, commitment to “Papa’s Land”, and the fear of God. For therein lies this country’s march to true development. – 07088548496.
It is reasonable to suspect foul play (concerning the “discount” offered MTN by some officials). Many Nigerians still have not yet come to terms with the fact that South Africa will pull Nigeria down at the drop of a feather. MTN, with the connivance of some Nigerians, is just doing the South African thing: Snob and rubbish Nigeria! But God is our refuge. Well done! -08022269809
I read your piece “MTN’s belated penitence”; for once, you did not write like an APC card-carrying member. Well done! Please can you advice Nigerians on what to do in the event MTN fails to pay the fine? – Destiny, Benin City.
Great thanks for your beautiful “MTN’s belated penitence”! EFCC needs to investigate the waiver of US$1.3 billion. Also, the Presidency needs to monitor NCC’s operational commitment to both national security and telecom consumers’ interests. Nigeria needs to be secure. – Tayo Onanuga.

turnpot@gmail.com 0705 263 1058