NDDC(EDP Slot): We Are Not Fronting Anyone, But Itsekiri Interest, APC Chieftains Clear The Air

L-R: Luke Ariyo, James Ologhojobar Aderojor, Barr. Robinson Ariyo, Victor Omunu & others during the Press briefing

Warri: Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas of Delta State under the aegis of Concerned Indigenes of Itsekiri Ethnic Extraction have emphasized that their demand for President Muhammadu Buhari to drop the nomination of Engr. Adjogbe Ajenakevwe for the position of Executive Director Projects, EDP in the proposed NDDC Board and substitute same with an Itsekiri is solely to protect the legitimate

right of Itsekiri Nation and not that of any individual.

Addressing selected media practitioners in Warri Sunday July 31 during a press briefing on behalf of the Concerned Indigenes of Itsekiri Ethnic Extraction, the 2015 APC Candidate for Warri South Constituency I, Barr. Robinson Ariyo posited that the nomination of Engr. Adjogbe Ajenakevwe for the EDP position is “an Infraction of the combined provisions of section 14 (3) and (4) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and section 5 (2) of the NDDC Act”.

According to the Concerned Indigenes of Itsekiri Ethnic Extraction, “the fundamental precepts of the party (APC) are now being threatened and derogated upon by the current leadership of the party in the State led by Prophet Jones Erue and Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor”.

While berating the alleged marginalization of Itsekiris by the APC leadership in Delta State which has seen the only three Itsekiris in the State Executive suspended for over a year now, the Itsekiri APC stakeholders noted that the development “now threatens the peace, stability and unity of the diverse ethnic groups in Delta State”.

The Press Statement which was signed by Barr. Robinson Ariyo, Warri South-West Local Government Area APC Chairman, Felix Ighonmieyetan and David Odeli, APC leader in Warri North Local Government Area, called for the nomination of “Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli to occupy the position of Executive Director of Projects, EDP in the Board of NDDC in accordance with the relevant laws and the age long (four years) rational arrangement among the different ethnic groups in Delta State since Engr. Omatsuli only served two years in the former Board or “submit the name of and nominate any other qualified and suitable person of Itsekiri ethnic extraction to occupy the position of Executive Director of Projects, EDP in the Board of NDDC, including Peter Arubi Majebi and Demi Mene Ejegi”.

Cross Section of Concerned Indigenes of Itsekiri Ethnic Extraction in APC 

The Statement quipped that in-line with “the NDDC Act: 5.5 (2) where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Board, it shall be filled by the appointment of a successor to hold Office of his predecessor, so however that the successor shall represent the same interest”.