Kehinde Fajobi
Former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has strongly criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, warning that the people of the region will not accept it.
In Abuja on Wednesday, Clark expressed his dismay at the federal government’s move, accusing them of using funds from the South-South region to support other development commissions in different geopolitical zones.
“The news came to me as a surprise. There’s no basis for scrapping it now,” he said.
Clark emphasised that the ministry was created by late President Umaru Yar’Adua to promote development and ensure peace in the Niger Delta.
He noted that the region’s concerns, including pipeline vandalisation and underdevelopment, would suffer without the ministry’s oversight.
“The government needs to consult with the leaders of the Niger Delta and the South-South region. What we are saying is that these unresolved issues cannot be overlooked by the government,” Clark added.
He called for the reinstatement of the ministry, warning against the diversion of regional funds to other areas.
In a statement following a Federal Executive Council meeting, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information, Bayo Onanuga, announced the dissolution of both the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Sports Development.