Odahiekwu Ogunde, Yenagoa
A coalition of ex-militants, under the auspices of the 21st Century Youths of the Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), has warned that the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission must be completed and not truncated.
The coalition commended President Muhammadu Buhari for ordering the forensic audit to unravel the rot in the agency.
The 21st CYNDAC in a statement via electronic mail on Sunday by its Coordinator, ‘General’ Izon Ebi, warned politicians not to undermine the relative peace in the region.
The group added that Buhari’s appointment of Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and entrusting him with the supervision and power over the NDDC was commendable.
It noted that Akpabio’s appointment had led to the exposure of the numerous atrocities committed by leaders and elders of the region.
The coalition also congratulated the 8th President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Peter Igbifa, and his team on their victories at the elections in Oporoza, Delta State.
The group urged the new IYC president to reposition the organisation for optimum service delivery, especially in critical agencies like the NDDC and other relevant agencies to monitor and track down democratic derivable, which in the immediate past had been hijacked by greedy politicians with zero benefits for the people.
The 21st CYNDAC said, “We also use this medium to congratulate High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo for his victory in the court and his victory over evil forces of retrogression in the sterling conduct of the Ijaw youths convention and election, which ushered in the new executives of the IYC.
“The IYC further demonstrated the fact that free and fair elections can be conducted where there is a will and commitment for excellence.
“The victory and triumph of Tompolo over evil forces and his commitment to set a standard for doing elections in the Niger Delta has been demonstrated in the just concluded IYC election in Oporoza.
“We therefore recommend that the IYC under the leadership of Peter Igbifa as a matter of urgency to swing into action and restore peace and stop all forms of criminality in Andoni, his place.
“We also use this medium to urge the IYC to close ranks and marshal out a clearcut agenda that will usher in peace and prosperity all over the Ijaw nationality for a new release of fresh air.
“We therefore use this medium to call on Mr President to ensure that the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission is completed and not truncated.”