News
Jubilation in Delta Host Communities as Court Prepares to Decide Fate of NDDC Chairman Ebie on October 31
Jubilation in Delta Host Communities as Court Prepares to Decide Fate of NDDC Chairman Ebie on October 31
Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of NDDC.
By Admin
Activist Mulade Sheriff insists Chairman must hail from highest oil-producing areas of Delta State
Warri, Delta State – Oil-producing communities in Delta State are in high spirits as the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, prepares to rule on a suit challenging the appointment of Mr. Chiedu Ebie as the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The court is set to deliver both ruling and judgment on October 31, 2024, after parties in the suit submitted their written arguments.
The lawsuit, filed by communities in Bayelsa and Delta States, accuses President Bola Tinubu of breaching the NDDC Act by appointing Ebie, who they argue does not represent the area with the highest oil production in Delta State. The plaintiffs, led by Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Chief Eddy Brayei, and Mr. Jonah Engineyouwei from Bayelsa’s Ekeremor Local Government Area, contend that Ebie’s appointment violates the commission’s laws. They are asking the court to annul his appointment.
The defendants in the case include President Tinubu, the Senate President, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the NDDC, and Mr. Ebie. Representatives of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Itsekiri Oil and Gas Communities, and Egbema Kingdom from Delta State have also requested to join the lawsuit. These communities argue that the NDDC chairmanship should be given to someone from either the Itsekiri or Ijaw communities, which produce the most oil.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the plaintiffs’ legal counsel, Mr. Egberipou Sotonye Barakemi, urged the court to dismiss objections raised by President Tinubu and the Attorney-General and to rule against the respondents for lack of merit. On the other side, counsel for the President, the National Assembly, the NDDC, and Ebie called for the suit to be thrown out for lack of jurisdiction.
Justice Abdulmalik, after hearing both sides, announced the ruling and judgment would be delivered on October 31, 2024.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/28/2024, was originally filed in January 2024. The plaintiffs claim that the appointments of Ebie by both President Tinubu and the National Assembly contravened the NDDC Act.
Prominent Niger Delta activist, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has also spoken out, insisting that Ebie is not qualified to serve as the NDDC Chairman. While acknowledging that Ebie hails from an oil-producing state, Sheriff asserts that his community does not produce the highest volume of oil, disqualifying him under the NDDC Act. He called for Ebie’s immediate replacement with someone from a core oil-producing community, stressing the importance of inclusiveness and fairness.
Sheriff expressed concern that Ebie’s appointment was politically motivated and urged the National Assembly to strictly follow the provisions of the law for the benefit of the Niger Delta’s host communities. He criticized the confirmation of Ebie’s appointment by the Senate, calling it an error that undermines the environmental and economic well-being of the region.
The plaintiffs have asked the court to determine if Ebie, coming from a community with minimal oil production, is eligible for the role and whether his appointment was unlawful. They seek to have his appointment nullified and request an injunction preventing him from assuming office as NDDC Chairman.
The Niger Delta communities now await the court’s ruling with anticipation, as the case could set a precedent for future appointments to the NDDC board.
News
GOV OBOREWORI BOOSTS TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS WITH 65 LAND CRUISERS TO STRENGTHEN GRASSROOTS PEACE
By: Divine Perezide
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has handed over 65 brand new Toyota Land Cruisers to traditional rulers across the state in a move aimed at strengthening grassroots governance, peacebuilding, and rural security coordination.
Presenting the vehicles in Asaba, the state government said the gesture reflects the administration’s recognition of the strategic role traditional institutions play in maintaining social stability, mediating communal disputes, and fostering collaboration between communities and government agencies.
The governor described traditional rulers as indispensable partners in sustaining harmony in rural areas, noting that enhanced mobility would enable quicker engagement with communities, faster response to emerging tensions, and closer cooperation with security operatives.
“This intervention is part of our people-centered leadership approach. It is a deliberate effort to build lasting peace and sustain the achievements of our MORE Agenda,” Governor Oborevwori stated, emphasizing that development thrives only in an atmosphere of peace.
Government officials explained that the vehicles would improve accessibility across difficult terrains, enable traditional leaders to attend to community matters more efficiently, and reinforce the interface between grassroots institutions and the state.
Stakeholders have commended the initiative as timely, especially as many rural communities rely heavily on traditional institutions for conflict resolution, cultural administration, and early warning mechanisms in times of tension.
With the distribution of the Land Cruisers, the Oborevwori administration says it remains committed to deepening rural engagement, strengthening local leadership structures, and advancing its peace-building framework across Delta State.
IduwiniVoice
By: Derick Peretengboro
Port Harcourt, 12 January 2026 — A Reconciliation Committee appointed by the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has appealed to political actors in Rivers State to end the ongoing crisis that has deeply affected governance and public confidence in the oil-rich state.
Headed by Chief Godwin Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON, the Committee was inaugurated on 12th January 2026 to “explore ways of bringing the escalating political crisis in Rivers State to an end,” a crisis, the Committee noted, that “has persisted for too long.”
In a statement at the inauguration, Chief Agabi said the Committee was privileged to serve and expressed gratitude to God and PANDEF leadership, particularly Ambassador Godknows Igali, Chairman of PANDEF’s Board of Trustees, and His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Papapraye Diete Spiff, former Governor of Rivers State and Amayanabo of Twon Brass. The statement described Sir Diete Spiff as “a man whose commitment to the South-South and the nation as a whole has never been in doubt,” adding that “it is the sacrifices of men like him that bequeathed the States of the South-South to the people of that area.”
Highlighting the gravity of the state’s political stand-off, the Committee warned that continuing conflict could erode confidence in the political actors’ commitment to the “interest of the people of Rivers State and of the nation.”
Using a local proverb to caution against self-destructive disputes, the statement urged caution: “Let the parties involved not be as the Clam and the Oyster … The fisherman picked them up, took them home and made a nice fine meal of Clam and Oyster. May it not be with Rivers State as it was with the Clam and the Oyster.”
Chief Agabi expressed optimism that the crisis could be resolved without external intervention, arguing that “the parties to this dispute are one people who began as one” and urging humility: “If they have now offended one another, they must be humble enough to apologize and to forgive. It is in forgiving that true greatness can be found.”
The Committee called for goodwill and prayer, countering the often-held view that religion has no place in politics. The statement read: “The misconception that God has no place in our politics has harmed and continues to harm the nation … Whether we are governors or ministers or legislators … it is to God that we owe our appointments and promotions.”
On the key figures involved in the crisis, Chief Agabi spoke personally of both the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, His Excellency Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Governor Fubara, saying: “The Minister … is my friend. He is my benefactor.… The mighty hand of God is upon him. That great Hand demands that he should lead this reconciliation … I trust [Governor Fubara] to respect that bond.”
The Committee also extended respect to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, praying for “a change of heart on their part” and urging them that “in forgiving the Governor whatever wrongs he has committed … they will demonstrate … restraint, … public spirit and … maturity.”
Concluding its charge, the Committee emphasized that it was not a judicial body, but an appeal for unity: “This Committee is not appointed to sit in judgment … Our duty is to appeal to the parties to be reconciled with one another… We appeal to the parties to embrace reconciliation… Sacrifices are called for. Make them and let there be peace.”
By: Divine Perezide
Warri, Delta State — Residents of the Warri Federal Constituency and surrounding environment are set to witness the public presentation of a new book titled “Warri Federal Constituency Delineation: Itsekiri & the Challenge of Sustaining the Burden of Lies”, authored by M. Keme.
The event, being organized by Niger Delta Scholars on behalf of stakeholders in the constituency, is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 23rd, 2026, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Warri, with proceedings commencing at 11:00am.
According to the organizers, the book interrogates historical and contemporary issues surrounding the delineation of Warri Federal Constituency, with particular focus on the Itsekiri ethnic group and the socio-political narratives that have shaped representation over the years.
The public presentation will be chaired by Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), who is expected to lend scholarly insight into the relevance of the publication to ongoing debates in Niger Delta politics.
The book will be formally reviewed by noted academic Professor Benedict Binebai, providing an evaluative perspective on the text and its contributions to regional political discourse.
The organizers have issued an open invitation to scholars, political leaders, community stakeholders, and the general public to attend the presentation ceremony. Enquiries and confirmations can be directed to the official RSVP line: 08023865232.
The forthcoming launch is anticipated to spark renewed intellectual and civic engagement on constituency delineation, ethnic relations, and democratic representation in the Niger Delta.