The Niger Delta Development Agenda (NDDA) has praised the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for his leadership and for being a steadfast defender of the Niger Delta.
In a media briefing held on Friday in Abuja, the group emphasized that the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy rests on the strength and independence of its legislature. Without this, the country would risk repeating the mistakes of its past.
The group highlighted that the effectiveness of the legislature depended on how well it represents the interests of the Nigerian people, particularly in terms of the regions and their development needs.
As a case in point, Iteveh Nur’ Ekpokpobe, the NDDA convener, reminded the public that the group had raised concerns back in August 2023 over the lack of representation for Delta State in the leadership of the 74 Senate Committees. Despite the number of committees, Delta State was not allocated the chairmanship of any committee.
Ekpokpobe pointed out that while other South-South states, such as Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa, were allocated committee chairmanships, Delta State was left out.
He acknowledged, however, that the appointment of committee members and chairmen is at the discretion of the Senate President, and that the reshuffling of committees over the past few months has allowed senators, including some from Delta State, to rise to leadership positions within the Senate.
One of the most significant moves, according to the NDDA, was the reshuffling of the leadership of the Senate Committee on Local Content, in which Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan was removed from the position of chairperson and replaced by Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas from Delta State.
The group described this decision as a bold step in protecting the interests of the Niger Delta region, emphasizing that the Local Content Committee plays a critical role in engaging with stakeholders in the oil exploration sector, making it vital for the region to maintain leadership in this area.
The NDDA expressed support for Senate President Akpabio’s leadership and called for continued respect for the region’s contributions to the country’s economic development.
The group also criticized Senator Uduaghan’s reaction to the reshuffle, urging her to accept the decision gracefully and acknowledge the role of internal politics within the Senate.
The NDDA expressed gratitude for the Senate President’s decision to appoint a representative from Delta State to oversee a committee and called on all Nigerians to support the work of the 10th Nigerian Senate.
They also took a moment to honor one of the South-South region’s greatest leaders, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, with a minute of silence in his memory and extended their condolences to his family
