A peace advocacy group, the Niger Delta Nonviolence Agitators Forum (NDNAF), has appealed to youths from the Niger Delta region to direct their anger at successive administrations for the economic hardships currently faced by Nigerians, which are due to the removal of the fuel subsidy announced by the incumbent President, Senator Bola Tinubu.
In a statement signed in Yenagoa by its National President, Comr. Wisdom Ikuli, the NDNAF explained that relevant documents indicate that the fuel subsidy was not included in the 2023 budget inherited by Senator Tinubu from the previous administration.
According to the group, recent attacks on the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, for allegedly creating an artificial fuel scarcity that is causing severe hardship for Nigerians, are not only false but also unfortunate and baseless.
The NDNAF stated, “By all standards, Lokpobiri is an illustrious son of the Niger Delta region who has distinguished himself in many areas. We are satisfied with his relentless efforts in repositioning the oil sub-sector.”
Ikuli, a former National Director of Mobilization and Chairman of the Action Committee of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), condemned the recent media attacks on the oil minister by some youths, challenging them to provide any evidence indicting the minister for orchestrating artificial fuel scarcity.
Ikuli said, “It is quite unfortunate that the baseless accusations from some frustrated youths seem to be a deliberate attempt to mislead the public into harboring hatred against Senator Lokpobiri, whom they wrongly accuse of creating an artificial fuel scarcity. This claim is entirely unfounded.
“Informed and discerning Nigerians are aware of the contentious issues, including the high level of sabotage by antagonistic elements who are threatened by President Tinubu’s good works, which will eventually lead to a reformed, transformed, and repositioned Nigeria.
“It is indeed sad and shameful that those accusing Senator Lokpobiri—a former pioneer Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, two-time Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and former Minister of State for Agriculture—of incompetence do not even understand the difference between the substantive Minister of Petroleum and the Minister of State (Crude).
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“It is particularly distressing that those accusing a Ph.D. holder of incompetence are indirectly indicting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the substantive Minister of Petroleum Resources. Nigerians are aware of the President’s immense sacrifices and efforts to address the country’s challenges and block all leakages.”
Dismissal of the youths’ allegations against Lokpobiri and, by extension, the Federal Government, Ikuli reiterated that the Tinubu-led administration inherited the current crisis in the petroleum sector, including the issue of petroleum subsidies.
He added that relevant documents confirm that fuel subsidy was not part of the 2023 budget inherited from the previous administration.
Ikuli further stated that the situation worsened because the Muhammadu Buhari administration had sold Nigeria’s crude oil in advance.
“Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), confirmed this fact through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye.
“It is both preposterous and mischievous for young people striving for greatness to blame such a sensitive issue on an innocent man who is dedicated to service delivery and the empowerment, growth, and development of his people.
“It is also an indisputable fact that the Ministry of Petroleum has experienced unprecedented improvements in production and overall performance over the past year. Instead of receiving commendation, Senator Lokpobiri, who serves as a junior minister, is being vilified and demonized by short-sighted youths.
The statement concluded by urging Niger Deltans to “support their elected and appointed leaders and representatives and build synergy, rather than attempting to pull them down.”
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