The overtures by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, to placate stakeholders of Niger Delta Region over the ultimatum issued by former MEND leader, Tompolo on immediate inauguration of substantive board for Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), instead of the present sole administrator status, has reportedly met a stonewall.
According to a report by BIGPEN, the minister’s overtures received a cold response from Tompolo and other stakeholders in the region who tongue-lashed the minister.
A source said the meeting held at the palace of paramount ruler of Gbaramatu Kingdom, was so heated to the point that Akpabio attempted to stage a walkout.
The source said, ‘Akpabio was tongue-lashed heavily by the various speakers for treating NDDC as his private enterprise, and that the meeting later collapsed to a closed door consultation’.
Tompolo reportedly snubbed meeting with Akpabio, but sent a message to the minister to return to Abuja and inaugurate the board without further delay.
Delta State Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, through his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro who represented him at the meeting said the state government’s position is that the provision of the Act that established the commission be implemented as regards the NDDC board.
Tompolo’s seven-day ultimatum expires on Saturday, June 5.