The federal government, on Wednesday, inaugurated the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The agency had been without a board for nearly four years.
This is even as major stakeholders in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have asked a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to stop President Muhammadu Buhari from inaugurating the Governing Board pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in Court.
The Senate on December 20, 2022, confirmed the nominations of the Chairman and Board Members of the Commission after President Muhammadu Buhari sent their names in accordance with the NDDC (Establishment) Act, 2008.
Speaking during the inauguration, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, urged the members of the board to be above board, adding that they should work towards policies that would contribute to the coordinated development of the Niger Delta.
Also, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs, Mrs Sharon Ikeazu, urged the new board to work towards restoring hope to the people of the region.
The Plaintiffs in the suit are the former Clerk of the National Assembly and also Chairman Board of Trustees of Ugboland Development Congress, Oluyemi Ogunyomi, Mr. Adebowale Karaki, Dr. Mann Ali, who are also the trustee and Secretary of Ugboland Development Congress, respectively.
Others are Incorporated Trustees of Ilaje Advancement Forum, Idowu Mafimisebi, Olaniran Obele and Ige Asemudara, all lawyers representing Ilaje Lawyers Forum.
In the suit filed on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at the Abuja headquarters of the Federal High Court by Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, the Plaintiffs are seeking an order of injunction to restrain the President from inaugurating, recognising or dealing with Mr. Charles Ogunmola as the Executive Director, Projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission since he is from Owo in the Northern axis of Ondo State and not an indigene of the oil-producing area of the State.