South South Governors throw their weight behind NDDC probe, condemn attempted abduction of Ms Joy Nunieh,

The Governors of the oil rich region in the country, politically referred to as the South-South political region, have said they will support the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as directed by President Buhari, and the ongoing investigation by the National Assembly.

The Governors said the probe will help restructure the commission for better delivery of its visions.

However, the Governors equally condemned the attempt to abduct Ms Joy Nunieh, the immediate past Acting MD of the Commission, yesterday, describing the action as unwarranted, unnecessary, and uncalled for.

The Governors made their position known to the public through the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who shared it on his official Twitter handle. The statement reads,

“Alongside my brothers, the governors of the other South-South states, I have been monitoring the crisis in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that has taken front and center stage in the national news.

“After due consultations with the other governors, the South-South Governors Forum wishes to categorically state that we wholeheartedly support the forensic audit of the NDDC as ordered by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“This is because, we believe that the audit will help to reposition the NDDC to better deliver on its mandate for the good people of the Niger Delta region.

“Additionally, the South-South Governors Forum also gives its full backing to the investigation of the NDDC by the Senate.

“Moving forward, we also wish to advise all the stakeholders in the current crisis in the NDDC to refrain from utterances and actions that will breach the peace and security of the region.

“We are, therefore, constrained to condemn in unequivocal terms the attempt to abduct Ms Joy Nunieh, the immediate past Acting MD of the Commission, yesterday. It was unwarranted, unnecessary, and uncalled for.

“While we call on all the relevant security authorities to investigate this unfortunate development, let it be on record that we are neither in support of nor against any of the actors in this controversy.

“However, as responsible public servants and leaders in the Niger Delta, we are mindful of the implications her attempted abduction could have on the peace and security of the region.

“Finally, we wish to reiterate that both the forensic audit and the Senate investigation should continue and be concluded promptly, as we all want to see an NDDC that helps to accelerate the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta region”.