A former spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comr. Ebilade Ekerefe, has taken a swipe at Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State for his recent critical statement directed at the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
A video has been making the rounds in the media wherein Diri was heard complaining about the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led NDDC allegedly working at cross purposes with the state government with its Infrastructural projects and other initiatives.
The governor made the remarks when the NDDC management team recently paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Yenagoa.
Diri however called for synergy and alignment of interests between the state government and the Commission to ensure coordinated efforts in the development of the state.
Disturbed by Diri’s statement, Ekerefe, in a press release made available to journalists on Tuesday, insisted that the governor went overboard with his admonition to the NDDC leadership.
The ex-IYC spokesperson while commending the NDDC management team for the visit to the governor accused Diri of being unfriendly.
He said Diri should rather be more concerned about the many youths in the state who allegedly worked for his reelection and are yet to be engaged.
In the words of Ekerefe: “Governor Diri should be more concerned about the multitude of party faithfuls who worked tirelessly for his first and second term reelection that are yet to be engaged or empowered by his government.
“It is worthy to note that a mass of those who genuinely worked for him vigorously are currently in limbo, wandering around like children without a father.
“Even most of the new appointees are not given portfolios that are suitable to their status given their contributions to the reelection of the prosperity government.
“It shows that loyalty is not rewarded and this has created bad blood in the system that could lead to a catastrophic blow during the next transition, if urgent steps are not taken to correct this anomaly.”
Ekerefe who doubles as the national leader of the Niger Delta Advocacy Group alleged that there is a cabal in Diri’s cabinet that has hijacked the administration.
While advising the governor to be mindful of such persons, Ekerefe pointed out that “political loyalty is a very scarce commodity, especially in Bayelsa.
“Immediately you leave power they switch loyalty automatically to the next in line. Only very few persons with character and conscience will remain.”
Ekerefe however encouraged Ogbuku to continue his good works and remain focused on achieving the objectives of the intervention agency (NDDC).
He also applauded the NDDC boss for his “non-partisan approach towards the development of the Niger Delta region as well as the engagement and empowerment of regional stakeholders” as part of his approach to leadership.
“The NDDC under Ogbuku’s watch is on the right path and history will be kind to him,” the youth leader asserted.
