Igbo elders, under the aegis of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have condemned the recent call by elder statesman and leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, for the Federal Government to remove Abia, Imo, and Ondo States from the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC).
Recall that Clark, yesterday demanded President Tinubu to amend the Act establishing the NDDC and remove non-Niger Delta oil-producing States from the intervention agency.
The organisation, which made its reaction known via an issued statement signed by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, described Clarks proposal as an affront to national cohesion, unity, and a promotion of ethnic bigotry.
The group pointed out that Clarks call for the exclusion of Abia, Imo, and Ondo States from the NDDC based on their geographical location and quantity of oil deposits is not only misguided but also reeks of parochialism. Such exclusionary suggestions are detrimental to the progress and unity of our great nation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo stated.
The group also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard Clarks unhealthy vituperation and sweep it into the dustbin of history where it belongs. It expressed its disappointment that Chief Clark, a prominent leader of the Niger Delta region, would resort to such parochial barbarism and satanic rhetoric.
The group said, Instead of promoting unity and inclusivity, he chooses to foster division and animosity among Nigerians.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo also condemned Clarks disregard for the economic hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, saying that his exclusionary stance and divisive rhetoric only serve to exacerbate the challenges faced by the nation.
