TheCable

Bassey Otu, governor of Cross River, has commended President Bola Tinubu for acting “swiftly” in replacing the state’s Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board nominee. 

The governor spoke on Friday in a statement signed by Emmanuel Ogbeche, his chief press secretary.

Tinubu had appointed Asu Okang, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, to the commission’s board, sparking protests in some quarters.

After protesters converged at the government house in Calabar, Cross River capital, Otu assured them that the president would address the issue.

The governor said the swiftness with which Tinubu replaced Okang with Orok Otuk Duke has pacified millions of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) members.

“I wish to graciously thank Mr. President for acting timely and decisively in correcting what I believe was not a deliberate anomaly in the nomination of a non-member of our great party, the APC, into the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission,” he said.

“The swiftness in which the matter that has agitated millions of our party faithful not just in Cross River state, but across the country, demonstrates that we have a listening president, one who is prepared to respond to the yearning and aspirations of not just APC members, but Nigerians in general.”

The governor said there is indeed “renewed hope” in the state and country.

He asked Nigerians to continue to give their support to the president’s policies and programmes.

The APC in Ondo had also rejected Victor Akinjo’s nomination to the NDDC board, saying it could “demoralise” members who “greatly contributed to the success of the ruling party during the elections”.

The president subsequently approved the replacement of Akinjo with Otito Atikase.