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Reps Step Down Motion Urging Tinubu to Reinstate Niger Delta Ministry

Kehinde Fajobi

The House of Representatives has paused consideration of a motion urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reverse the rebranding of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development to the Ministry of Regional Development.

The motion, introduced by Oboku Oforji (PDP, Bayelsa), was deferred, with the House citing that the matter “has been overtaken by events.”

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen explained that he had recently met with President Tinubu, who signalled a willingness to review the proposed South-South Development Commission Bill, which would specifically address Niger Delta concerns.

He stated, “In light of this development, and given that recent events address the motion’s issues, I ask that we step it down.”

House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) remarked that, while the motion’s concerns were valid, the broader mandate of the Ministry of Regional Development would not diminish the Niger Delta’s share of resources.

“The conversion does not in any way deny the Niger Delta region its due development or reduce its impact in the area. Instead, it broadens its scope to support development in other regions as well,” he said.

In presenting his motion, Oforji recalled that the Ministry of Niger Delta Development was established on 10 September 2008, by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who appointed Ufot Ekaette as its first minister.

“The ministry was created to promote and coordinate policies for the development, peace, unity, and security of the Niger Delta region,” Oforji noted, highlighting its role in bringing together agencies, communities, donors, and other stakeholders to address the area’s unique needs.

He emphasised that President Yar’Adua created the ministry with the vision of addressing the longstanding neglect and agitation in a region responsible for generating much of Nigeria’s economic wealth.

“This is a region that produces the economic wealth of the country and yet remains poor and poorly governed,” he said.

Oforji also underscored that issues such as oil spills and limited access to arable land and social amenities contributed to the emergence of militancy in the oil-rich Niger Delta.

He credited Yar’Adua for his efforts to mediate the conflict through dialogue, saying, “It was in the short term of late President Yar’Adua’s leadership that dialogue was initiated with major stakeholders in the region and militants, culminating in the Amnesty Program that has brought relative peace to the Niger Delta.”

Reflecting on the ministry’s purpose, he added, “These were preludes to the creation of the ministry, which aimed at infrastructural development, environmental protection, and empowerment of the youths in the Niger Delta region.

“Are we there yet? The answer is no, but the people of the Niger Delta believe that the lofty dreams and aspirations of the region’s founding fathers will someday be realised. That hope was the basis for embracing the Ministry of Niger Delta Development,” He continued.

Oforji expressed concern that the recent announcement to dissolve the ministry caused unease in the region.

“On the 24th of October 2024, the oil-rich region witnessed palpable tension following the announcement of the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he stated.

“This is not a good omen for a region that has contributed immensely to the economic development of our country and has enjoyed relative peace,” Oforji added.

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