By Austin Ogwuda
A traditional ruler and the Chairman of the First Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, HRH Henry Binidodogha, has distanced himself from a publication claiming that he signed a statement in favour of the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
He said that he never authorise his name to be used in a statement, which tried to counter the opinion of the Coalition of Ex-agitators in Niger Delta (CEND) on the continuation of Ogbuku-led management team despite the dissolution of the NDDC Board.
Refuting the said publication yesterday, Binidodogha stated that “as a royal father, I shouldn’t be caught in the web of arguments and counter arguments. That will not be of any benefit to the people of Niger Delta region”.
Recall that a group known as the Coalition of Ex-Agitators of Niger Delta (CEND) gave five days ultimatum to Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led management team of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to either vacate the Commission or face an imminent wrath.
The former militants sternly warned that if Ogbuku and his team failed to leave office after the expiration of the ultimatum, they would occupy the commission and ground the activities of the NDDC completely.
Chairman of CEND, Gen. Daboikiabo Alalibo had in a statement dishing out the ultimatum three days ago, said it was unimaginable that Ogbuku-led team could be operating despite the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the statement, “our President (Bola Tinubu) gave an express order dissolving all parastatals and agencies of the federal government. The NDDC was affected because it wasn’t among those constitutionally exempted by the directive.
“But we understand that some persons close to the President spearheaded the conspiracy that allow Ogbuku and others to remain as a management team of the NDDC. It is illegal”, the statement warned.
The Monarch while denying a publication in some national dailies where he was purported to have signed called on those national dailies which published the report to tender an unreserved apology to him and his palace or face a legal action.
According to him, “it is very wrong for the MD of NDDC to allow his media aides to use the name of Ex-agitator leaders to make publications without the approval or consent of the Leaders themselves; this clearly shows the MD has no interest for the development of the region”, he continued.
“There is a platform called Ex-Agitators leadership forum where I am in charge as the Chairman, and there is a group called Coalition of Ex-Agitators in Niger Delta and several other groups. My responsibility as the chairman First Phase of the Presidential amnesty programme, is to bring all aggrieved groups together at every point in time to achieve peace and development in the region.
“I am, therefore, calling on the MD of NDDC Mr. Sam Ogbuku to play the role of a leader, rather than the divide and rule tactics in order to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the region.
“As the chairman of the first phase of the presidential amnesty programme if given the opportunity, I can reach out to the Coalition of Ex-Agitators in Niger Delta leadership as a spiritual father and traditional ruler and leader with full capacity to address all issues that can attract peace and development in the region.
“My advice is that we should endeavour to stick to truth and honesty in all that we do. We should be focused at all times. There is no need for bad blood. Together we will get to the pinnacle. We should avoid unnecessary distraction that is gradually popping up. It will do no one any good. It can only set us back, and that’s not beneficial for our region”, he further stated.
The Monarch recalled that immediately Ogbuku assumed office he vowed to listen to all stakeholders and wondered why he has failed to live up to that promise.
