NDDC EDP Controversy: Itsekiri ups the ante, drags FG, Senate to court

After series of protests, including newspaper advertorials on the Executive Director, Projects’ position in the proposed board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, a group of five Itsekiris have dragged President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate President, Attorney General of the Federation, nominee for the ED Projects’ position, Engr. Samuel Adjogbe Ajenakevwe and two other Defendants to the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an Order of Interim Injunction, restraining Engr. Samuel Adjogbe Ajenakevwe from presenting himself to the Senate for clearance.

Our Senior Correspondent reports that the five plaintiffs/applicants are: former All Progressives Congress, APC, House of Assembly hopeful, Engr. Sunny Demi-Ejegi, Engr. Toju Victor Afinotan, APC Chieftain, David Odeli, APC Chairman for Warri South- West Local Government Area, Mr. Felix Ighomietan and Engr. George Aghaninomi Nami.

Addressing select-Journalists Monday September 19 in Warri, the Plaintiffs’ Attorney, Robinson Ariyo, Esq., declared that his clients are determined to ensure that Itsekiri complete “their remaining two-year tenure” in NDDC ED Projects’ Position after Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli served for only two years before President Muhammadu Buhari dissolved the former NDDC board.

The legal practitioner, who was the APC House of Assembly candidate for Warri South Constituency 1 in the April 11, 2015 Governorship/ House of Assembly polls, cited the NDDC Act Section 5:2 and Section 14:3 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that no ethnic group should be shortchanged or dominated by the other as basis for his clients’ argument in the Suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/700/2016).

According to the Plaintiffs, when Engr. Godwin Omene, an Urhobo couldn’t complete his tenure as MD of NDDC, another Urhobo man, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo completed it, insisting similar instances occurred as it affects the NDDC ED Finance and Administration position.

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