A Niger Delta ex-agitator, Comrade Tonye Bobo, has opposed the planned protest by a faction of the Third Phase Ex-Agitators Forum against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The faction, led by “General” Elaye Slaboh, had accused the commission of neglecting and marginalising its members, claiming they were excluded from empowerment and skills acquisition programmes.
The group also demanded fair allocation of contracts and opportunities, threatening to stage a protest.
Reacting in a statement issued in Yenagoa on Tuesday, Tonye Bobo dismissed the claims as false and unfounded. He described the Slaboh-led group as illegitimate and said it has no right to protest against the NDDC.
He maintained that “General” Preye Ekpebide remains the only recognised leader of the Third Phase Ex-Agitators Forum under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
Tonye Bobo warned Slaboh and his group to stop impersonating the forum’s leadership, noting that such actions are against Nigerian law. He also advised them to drop the planned protest, describing it as unnecessary and misguided.
“I want to make it clear that Elaye Slaboh and his group are not the legitimate leaders of the third phase. What they are doing is impersonation, and it is a crime. Their planned protest is misplaced and will not succeed,” he said.
He also praised the NDDC under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, commending the commission’s efforts in developing the Niger Delta region.
According to him, the commission has carried out several projects, including installation of solar-powered street lights, construction of roads and bridges, provision of school laboratories, and skill acquisition programmes.
He added that many ex-agitators have benefited from these initiatives and are satisfied with the performance of the commission so far.
Tonye Bobo further advised the NDDC management to remain focused and not be distracted, urging them to continue delivering development projects across the region.
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