Niger Delta Ministry’s scrapping sparks outcry

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned the scrapping of Nigeria’s Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for an immediate reversal.

President Tinubu recently announced the ministry’s dissolution as part of wide-reaching reforms, establishing in its place the Ministry of Regional Development, which would oversee regional bodies like the Niger Delta Development Commission and North East Development Commission.

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In a statement made available to The Guardian on Friday, Frank described the move as “hasty and biased,” criticising the President for disregarding the unique historical and socio-economic significance of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. He reminded the public that the ministry, created by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was essential to addressing the environmental degradation and economic underdevelopment in the Niger Delta region due to extensive oil exploration.

According to Frank, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has played a crucial role in reducing youth restiveness and protecting oil installations, which are vital to Nigeria’s economy. He expressed disappointment that Tinubu’s decision could potentially deepen socio-economic challenges for the Niger Delta people instead of alleviating them. Frank further accused the administration of “highly discriminatory” policies and criticised the lack of dialogue with regional leaders before the decision.

“The President took this overly biased and hasty decision to scrap a Ministry which symbolised integration, hope, and environmental wellbeing for the people of the Niger Delta, whose resources continue to be exploited for the benefit of other regions,” Frank remarked. He urged the President to reverse this “knee-jerk decision” and restore the ministry for the sake of peace and national unity.

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Frank drew attention to the administration’s decision to create a Ministry of Livestock Development to address the farmer-herder conflicts in the North, suggesting a double standard in how the government approaches regional issues. He warned that the Niger Delta people might perceive this action as a direct affront, considering that the region contributes significantly to Nigeria’s wealth.

Frank called on the President to heed the counsel of prominent Niger Delta leaders, including Chief E.K. Clark and Alhaji Asari Dokubo, to restore the ministry and convene a dialogue with stakeholders. “Above all, the President must be prepared to take full responsibility for the potential consequences of this injustice if the Niger Delta people react to this act of victimisation,” he concluded.