TheCable

A group known as the South-South Emerging Leaders Forum (SELF) says the appointment of Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua as the interim managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is contrary to President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

Following the sack of Effiong Akwa as the sole administrator of the commission, the president had ordered “that the most senior director” would take charge pending when a new board is appointed.

The NDDC has seen various interim leaderships after the president ordered a forensic probe into its finances.

In a statement on Thursday, Preye Johnson, the group’s coordinator, said there are two directors that are senior to Audu-Ohwavborua.

TheCable has not been able to independently verify this claim.

“There are two senior directors ahead of him,” Johnson said.

“As a frontline forum of professionals in the Niger Delta, we are using this medium to call on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, to do the right thing and avoid unnecessary confusion at the NDDC by appointing the most senior director as directed by Mr. President.

“We are making this call because the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua is contrary to the directive of the President and it is in the public knowledge that there are two most senior directors ahead of Mr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua.

“We call on the national assembly not to have anything to do with the leadership of Mr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua as NDDC’s acting helmsman.

“We also warn that if the right thing is not done we shall have no option than to approach the Court of Law to correct the injustice.”