The request to withdraw Abia, Imo, and Ondo States from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) made by well-known Ijaw leader Chief Edwin Clark has been turned down by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the highest Igbo sociocultural organization.
Remember that the elder statesman had requested President Bola Tinubu to remove the three states during a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, citing their initial inclusion as a convenience.
Furthermore, Clark contended that since Abia, Imo, and Ondo States are not a part of the Niger Delta, their inclusion in the 2000 NDDC Act is a political aberration.
However, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, stated in a statement on Wednesday that Clark’s appeal was diabolical, a product of narrow-minded barbarism, and harmful to the unity and cohesiveness of the country.
According to Isiguzoro, the Ijaw leader will likely support the gazetting of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration designating the Old Anambra River Basins as states that produce oil.
But he claimed that Clark was encouraging ethnic prejudice, which had no place in our broad and diversified society.
The statement reads: “Rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric and exclusionary tactics, Ohanaeze Ndigbo expected Chief Edwin Clark to advocate for the gazetting of former President Buhari’s recognition of the Old Anambra River Basins as oil-producing states. This recognition includes Anambra, Enugu, and Kogi States, which should be incorporated into the NDDC. By ignoring this crucial aspect, Chief Clark has displayed a blatant disregard for fairness and equity.
“Furthermore, considering the economic hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo strongly condemns Chief Clark’s views. We find his comments deeply disappointing and unacceptable, as they do not reflect the position of the Niger Delta region as a whole. Ethnic bigotry has no place in our nation’s discourse, and leaders like Chief Clark must work towards fostering unity and inclusivity rather than sowing seeds of division.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rise above Chief Clark’s divisive rhetoric and reject his exclusionary stance. We call on President Tinubu to uphold the principles of fairness and equality by incorporating the Old Anambra River Basins into the NDDC. This step would not only rectify the historical injustices suffered by the Igbo people but also promote national integration, development, and unity.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains committed to the pursuit of a united and prosperous Nigeria, where every ethnic group is accorded equal rights and opportunities. We will continue to advocate for the fair treatment of all regions and work towards a future characterized by harmony, understanding, and shared prosperity
