Former Federal Commissioner for Information and prominent South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
In a statement from Abuja, Clark warned that the people of the Niger Delta would resist the move, which he described as unjustified and detrimental to regional development.
Clark, who heads the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), voiced his outrage, arguing that the federal government is attempting to redirect funds meant for the Niger Delta to other development commissions across the country.
emphasized that President Tinubu’s decision signals a lack of commitment to the welfare of the region.
“This news came as a surprise. There is no basis for scrapping the ministry now,” Clark stated. He reminded the public that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was established by late President Umaru Yar’Adua to address long-standing issues such as underdevelopment and pipeline vandalism in the region.
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According to Clark, Yar’Adua’s administration created the ministry to bring peace and development to the Niger Delta, and dissolving it undermines these efforts.
Clark also expressed concern over the federal government’s handling of key projects, particularly the reassignment of the long-delayed East-West Road to the Ministry of Works. He noted that the lack of progress on such infrastructure projects reflects the government’s neglect of the region’s development.
“The federal government lacks special arrangements for this region,” Clark remarked, accusing the administration of failing to create a comprehensive development plan for the Niger Delta. He pointed to the creation of other development commissions in various regions as evidence of unequal resource allocation, which further deepens regional disparities.
Recalling the discussions from the 2014 National Conference, Clark highlighted unresolved issues around increasing revenue allocation to resource-rich areas and establishing dedicated development funds for conflict-affected regions.
He criticized the federal government for not implementing these agreements and urged the Tinubu administration to engage with Niger Delta leaders.
“We will not allow the ministry to be scrapped. The government is trying to use South-South resources to develop other regions. This is unacceptable,” Clark warned, stressing that in a democracy, the government must prioritize the interests of the people, not operate in a unilateral manner.
The announcement to abolish the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, along with the Ministry of Sports Development, was made by President Tinubu’s administration and confirmed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.