Hundreds of young men and women on Wednesday took their protest to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) office in Benin City, the Edo state capital, chasing out all the workers and shutting the entire office.
Their grouse was the continued delay in the appointment of someone to the present board of the NDDC.
Mr. Henry Okhuarobo, Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s nominee, had not been confirmed, as his appointment is believed to be hampered by Senator Ehigie Uzamere, who is having a running battle with Governor Adams Oshomhole.
Latching on this disagreement, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state also came up with its list, asking President Goodluck Jonathan to give the party the right to nominate so that it could be empowered ahead of the 2016 governorship election in the state.
Some sources also believe that the president has been playing politics with the appointment because of the position of his party in the state.
The protesters, who had given the governor a two-week ultimatum to iron out the issue with other stakeholders and find a lasting solution to the crisis, stormed the NDDC office to chase out the workers, many of whom took to their heels, leaving behind their personal effects. The protesters then locked up the place, threatening not to leave until an appointment was made.
They argued that this delay has hampered development in the oil-producing communities in Edo South, just as they warned Senator Ehigie Uzamere, representing Edo South, to stop playing politics with the appointment.
They also pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to stop being partisan concerning the appointment and follow the rule, which has been that governors nominate candidates for the position.
Armed with placards carrying various inscriptions, they said they were tired of the politics played with the appointment.
Leader of the protesters, Jessy Iyamu Osaro stated the protest is part of their promise before the two-week ultimatum they gave. He said they had the information on the disagreement between Governor Oshiomhole and Senator Uzamere on the issue, and that is why the president has refused to appoint an Edo NDDC Commissioner.
“Our argument is that the governors of other states were asked to produce the NDDC commissioner in their states”, Osaro said. “Why will the president listen to a senator who did not know how Oshiomhole made efforts in ensuring that Edo people supported President Jonathan in 2011?”
