In a statement, the group’s convener High Chief Mike Ekayama Loyibo said that by ignoring the nationwide support the devolution of power had gathered, the National Assembly has become anti-people.
“It is so disappointing that an APC controlled National assembly could not deliver on the bill on Devolution of powers being one of the major campaign promises as enshrined in APC’s constitution. “They have failed Nigerians and history will not forgive the principal actors of this ignoble act. A ‘YES’ vote will have gone a long way in dousing the tension in the Nation today.
“This goes a long way to show how detached they are from the people they represent. It was an opportunity to lay the foundation for a true Federation which would have gone a long way in demonstrating APC’s sincerity to lead the nation in the right direction.”
The group said however that President Muhammadu Buhari took the right step towards a permanent solution to the age long crisis that had bedeviled the Niger Delta by constituting a high powered committee, chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.
It acknowledged that the Buhari Presidency has also demonstrated so much passion and commitment towards region by consulting widely from where a road map was fashioned out. “The Federal Government should not allow any group to slow her down, rather immediate action should be taken to tackle already identified issues.
“The Oil Companies should be compelled to relocate to the region as previously instructed by the Acting President. The Maritime University needs immediate action. There’s so much to do about the idea of modular refineries. We are tired of waiting, there is need for immediate action.
“PANDEF does not represent all interest groups in the region. No group should engage the Federal government on lengthy talks at this time. We have gone beyond that and beside, PANDEF is not a total and accurate reflection of the region.”
NDPC said that while arrests and prisons cannot quench the voice of the struggle in the Niger Delta, nobody should use militancy to blackmail the Federal government, adding that the Federal Government should go ahead to implement the road map that had already been made.
The group described Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a public nuisance and that he should be made to abide by his bail conditions.
“He is playing a game and every one should know this. He wants security operatives to arrest him to create a crisis. Nobody is bigger than the Nation and he should be curtailed. Major leaders in the south east should call him to order before it gets too messy.
“He should be declared persona non grata in all other states. His activities should be restricted to only his Local Government Area.”
On the health status of President Buhari, NDPC called on Nigerians, as a matter of National interest, to continue in prayers for his continued recovery.
“We want him back to continue his good works. We need to show him more love and goodwill more than ever before. “We must not allow him to leave the country for the bad people because as a nation, our problem is corruption and he has done so well in doggedly fighting and defeating corruption to sanitize governance.
“We commend the Acting President for his loyalty and competence in steering the ship in the absence of the president. “We generally urge Nigerians to continue to support the Federal Government to succeed.”
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