NIGER DELTA YOUTHS BACK OGBUKU, DISMISS SACK CAMPAIGN
The Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum) has disowned a publication by an unknown group identifying itself as the Pan Niger Delta Youth Leaders Forum, which called for the suspension of the 2025 budget of the Niger Delta Development Commissio (NDDC) and the removal of its Managing Director, Dr Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide and Chairman of NDENYLF, Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr, said the forum intervened to correct what he described as a false narrative and to safeguard the image and integrity of the NDDC.
Lokpobiri described the group behind the publication as faceless, unrecognised, and non-existent, stressing that neither its leadership nor membership is known to any credible Niger Delta ethnic nationality youth organisation. He said the publication was a reckless attempt to sow confusion, blackmail institutions, and derail development efforts in the region, urging the public and the media to disregard it as unrepresentative of Niger Delta youths.
The NDENYLF Chairman also condemned the call to remove Dr Ogbuku, describing it as illogical and insulting, particularly given the achievements recorded under the current NDDC management. According to him, the Ogbuku-led administration has restored confidence in the Commission through the completion of abandoned projects, stronger stakeholder engagement, alignment of programmes with Federal Government priorities, and improved transparency and accountability.
He maintained that no genuine Niger Delta son or daughter acting in good faith would call for the sack of a Managing Director who is delivering tangible results for the region.
On security, Lokpobiri said NDENYLF had placed security agencies on alert to investigate and unmask those hiding behind fictitious groups, prosecute individuals exploiting the Niger Delta youth identity for mischief, and prevent any attempt to incite unrest or manufacture crises in the region. He emphasised that the Niger Delta had suffered enough instability and would not allow anonymous actors to undermine its progress.
Addressing the ongoing bid round by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the NDENYLF Chairman called for Niger Delta indigenes to be granted the right of first refusal in the allocation of oil and gas assets within the region. He noted that previous bid rounds largely excluded host communities and indigenous operators, deepening inequality and resentment, and urged the Federal Government and NUPRC to correct the imbalance.
The press statement—signed by Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, President of the IYC; Comrade Eniwake Orogun, President of the Isoko National Youth Assembly; and Engr. Legborsi Yamaabana, President of the Ogoni Youth Federation—concluded that “the Niger Delta deserves development, not deception; truth, not theatrics; and peace, not provocation.”
The youth leaders called on security agencies to rein in mischief makers and ensure that the Niger Delta’s march toward sustainable development remains uninterrupted.
