Monarch refutes backing NDDC boss against concerned ex-agitators

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Chairman of the First Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, HRH Henry Binidodogha, has distanced himself from a publication claiming that he signed a statement in favour of the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

Binidodogha, who is a traditional ruler, explained that he did not authorise his name to be used in the said statement, which tried to counter the opinion of the Coalition of Ex-agitators in Niger Delta (CEND) on the continuation of Ogbuku-led management team despite the dissolution of the NDDC board.

According to Binidodogha, “As a royal father, I shouldn’t be caught in the web of arguments and counter arguments. That will not be of any benefit to the people of Niger Delta region”.

He asked the national dailies which published the report to tender an unreserved apology to him and his palace or face legal action.

In the same vein, he asked Ogbuku to play the role of a leader by uniting all ex-agitators instead of trying to divide their ranks. “It’s very wrong for the MD of NDDC to allow his media aides to use the name of Ex-agitator leaders to make publications without the approval or consent of the Leaders themselves; this clearly shows the MD has no interest in the development of the region”, he continued.

He added, “There is a platform called Ex-Agitators leadership forum where I am in charge as the chairman, and there is a group called Coalition of Ex-Agitators in Niger Delta and several other groups. My responsibility as the chairman First Phase of the Presidential amnesty programme is to bring all aggrieved groups together at every point in time to achieve peace and development in the region.

“I am, therefore, calling on the MD of NDDC Mr. Sam Ogbuku to play the role of a leader, rather than the divide and rule tactics in order to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the region.

“As the chairman of the first phase of the presidential amnesty programme, if given the opportunity, I can reach out to the Coalition of Ex-Agitators in Niger Delta leadership as a spiritual father and traditional ruler and leader with full capacity to address all issues that can attract peace and development in the region.

Binidodogha recalled that immediately after Ogbuku assumed office, he vowed to listen to all stakeholders in the region but regrettably, the Managing Director has failed to fulfil his promise.

“My advice is that we should endeavour to stick to truth and honesty in all that we do. We should be focused at all times. There is no need for bad blood. Together we will get to the pinnacle. We should avoid unnecessary distraction that is gradually popping up. It will do no one any good. It can only set us back, and that’s not beneficial for our region,” he said.