A group known as Niger Delta Volunteers For Good Governance (NDVFGG), a civil society organization, has insisted that the upcoming protest against hardship in Nigeria should be held in the Niger Delta region.
In a discussion with journalists, the organization’s president, Ben Bowei (also known as Lord Major 1 of the Niger Delta), emphasized the necessity of conducting the protest in the Niger Delta despite some stakeholders’ suggestions to abandon it.
Bowei criticized those advising against the protest, accusing them of prioritizing their personal gain over the well-being of the region.
Expressing his standpoint, he remarked, “Having actively participated in the Niger Delta struggle for years and advocating for good governance, I am compelled to mobilize over 2,000 members from across the Niger Delta to demonstrate on major streets, including the East-West Road, during the protest.”
The former national treasurer of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) expressed disappointment in individuals who place their interests above addressing the region’s hardships.
He questioned the rationale behind discouraging Niger Delta residents, especially the youth, from participating in the protest against prevalent hardship and visible hunger, asserting that such a stance is unacceptable.
“Those advocating against the protest are driven by their self-serving motives,” he alleged. “Some of them have been influenced by monetary inducements to oppose the planned demonstration. However, NDVFGG has already organized our members to take to the streets in the region. We cannot continue like this.”
“We have mobilized a group exceeding two thousand members across the Niger Delta for this purpose. We must protest! Our goal is the advancement of our people, and we are resolute in demanding good governance,” he emphasized.
The Ijaw community leader from the Furupagha clan also addressed the interventionist agencies established to enhance the well-being of the Niger Delta populace, asserting that these agencies have fallen short in serving the people.
Describing their inefficacy as indicative of poor governance, he announced plans to stage demonstrations at their premises to denounce the alleged mismanagement by these agencies.
“Institutions like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have profoundly disappointed us. This failure is emblematic of the governance crisis we are decrying. We will not overlook the NDDC’s conduct as we move forward with the protest,” he declared.