NDPA Accuses NDDC MD, Ogbuku, Of Sponsoring The “New Associates”

The Niger Delta Peace Ambassadors (NDPA) has accused the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku of sponsoring the New Associates in Bayelsa State.

In a statement issued by the group Coordinator, Mr Bassey Patrick in Calabar, Cross-River State, condemned in strong terms of the NDDC MD, Dr Ogbuku’s sponsorship of the new associates in Bayelsa State to create political instability.

The group said the new associates led by an ex-convict, Barr George Turnah who is a suspended member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, is under the sponsorship of the NDDC boss to destabilize the influence of the party.

Mr Patrick revealed that the new associates agenda in Bayelsa state originated from the meeting between Mr George Turnah and the NDDC MD, Mr Samuel Ogbuku in Lagos, where the NDDC boss received a public service award from Sun Newspaper.

He added that the meeting between Turnah and Ogbuku at Eko Hotel in Lagos, finalized the sponsorship of the new associates, and plans to disrupt the peace and security of the state, by creating political instability towards the 2027 general elections.

ALSO READ: Governor Soludo Gets Massive Support As Arthur Eze Backs His Re-election Bid

The group while commending the tremendous achievements of the NDDC under the leadership of Mr Samuel Ogbuku, stressed that the NDDC MD should not allow himself to be used by an ex-convict who is desperate to be relevant politically.

“Bayelsa is the only homogeneous state of the Ijaws, thus, making every Bayelsan as brothers and sisters, but it’s shocking that brothers can plan the destruction of their own home in desperation for political power,” the group added.

The group noted that George Turnah and cohorts working desperately to destroy the peace and stability of their own home, should learn from the North’s approach of politics in building their homes as one, rather than destroying it for political gains.

Mr Patrick urged the NDDC MD to concentrate on delivering his national assignment as a political appointee of the APC led federal government in the Niger Delta Development Commission, rather than playing politics with his office.

“The Niger Delta region is in great need of infrastructural development, which Mr Samuel Ogbuku as MD of NDDC should focus on attracting the requisite development to the region, and not play opposition party politics with funds of the commission.

The group revealed that the actions of Mr George Turnah and the New Associates are smoke screen of the perfected plan of the NDDC MD, Mr Samuel Ogbuku in destabilizing the peace and security of Bayelsa State in build up to the general elections.

Mr Patrick stated that the proposed mega rally to thank President Bola Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike is a camouflage to kick-start the perfected plans of the new associates to destabilize the peace and security of Bayelsa State.

He said it should be on record that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike is not responsible for the sponsorship of the new associates in Bayelsa State, neither is the minister aware of the plans or activities of the new associates as wrongly perceived.

The group while thanking President Bola Tinubu for his good working relationship with governors from the region, regardless of party affiliation, called on the President to caution the NDDC MD, Mr Samuel Ogbuku of his sponsorship of groups to destabilize the peace and security of Bayelsa.

Mr Patrick pointed out that the good security architecture and peaceful nature of Bayelsa is a contributory factor to the steady increase in the crude oil production in the last few years, as a major oil-producing State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

“Bayelsa has been one of the most peaceful and secured States in the Country in the last few years, due to the strategic steps of the current administration, and we don’t want anything that will disrupt the peace and security of the state,” he added.