Group appeals to Niger Deltans to allow Akpabio transform Niger Delta

People across oil-rich Niger Delta have been urged to support and rally round Minister of the Niger Delta Ministry, Chief Godswill Akpabio in order to transform the region.

The Foundation for Rights Advocate (FRA) made the plea in a statement signed by its President, Tegar Shalokpe, Assistant Secretary, M.O. Etaneviano Esq., Ekhator Osadebamwen and Mrs Stella Atakpa representing Delta, Edo and Akwa – Ibom states respectively.

In the statement titled “Niger Delta Should Give Godswill Akpabio Opportunity to Prove Himself,” and made available to journalists on Thursday, the group opined that given the track records of Akpabio as a two-time governor and former Senator who brought transformation to Akwa Ibom, he would change the face of the region.

“As a Minister, many pundits do not expect any less from him in terms of service to the nation.

“According to them, this is a call to a higher service at the national level as such they expect him to double his effort in nation-building in the ministry he is assigned to head.

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“Akpabio should not be criticized, rather Niger Deltans should fully support and give him an opportunity to extend his goodwill of transforming Niger Delta,” the group pleaded.

It will be recalled that the minister has been in the eye of the storm with a dissident faction of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) led by one Eric Omare calling for his head over the constitution of a three-man committee to midwife the NDDC newly-constituted board.

The group, therefore, called on the IYC’s disgruntled faction as well as other Niger Deltans to sheathe their swords and give Godswill Akpabio an opportunity to prove his versatility as MND’s boss.

“Among all, who is without a sin that is fit and proper for the position if we say that Godswill Akpabio is not fit and proper for the position, who then is fit for the position?

“From the foregoing, it is our humble appeal that Honourable Godswill Akpabio be given the opportunity to prove himself to the people of Niger Deltans and the nation at large,” the foundation pleaded.