Prominent South-South leader and former federal commissioner for information, Edwin Clark, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Clark expressed his disapproval, accusing the President of attempting to use resources from the Niger Delta to benefit other regions of the country.
Earlier in the week, President Tinubu scrapped the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Sports Development, announcing that a new Ministry of Regional Development would be responsible for overseeing all regional development commissions, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), North East Development Commission, and other regional bodies. The President also transferred the responsibilities of the Ministry of Sports to the National Sports Commission.
However, Clark, who leads the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), condemned the move, asserting that it lacks a legitimate basis and shows a lack of consideration for the people of the Niger Delta. He pointed out that the Ministry was initially created by late President Umaru Yar’Adua to promote development in the region and address the security challenges that had plagued it for years.
“The news of the Ministry’s dissolution was shocking,” Clark said. “There is no justification for its removal. Yar’Adua created it with the goal of fostering peace and development in the Niger Delta. The Ministry has played a critical role in managing the region’s resources and addressing its developmental needs.”
He further criticized the federal government for neglecting key projects meant to enhance the region’s infrastructure, including the East-West Road, which has now been transferred back to the Ministry of Works.
Clark emphasized the need for the federal government to engage with regional leaders before making such significant decisions. “The federal government must consult with the Niger Delta leadership and the people of the South-South before making unilateral decisions like this,” he said.
He also highlighted that many of the agreements reached at the 2014 National Conference, such as increasing revenue allocation to the region and allocating a portion of the federation account for development, have yet to be implemented. “We agreed that 5% of the federation account would support development in regions affected by conflict, but nothing has been done,” Clark stated.
The veteran leader warned against the federal government’s plans to divert resources from the South-South to other parts of the country, vowing that the region will resist any such attempt. “In a democracy, decisions should be made for the benefit of the people, not to serve the interests of a few. We will not allow the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to be dissolved without a clear plan for replacing it,” he concluded.
