Niger Delta Leaders Reject Planned Nationwide Hunger Protest
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared the Niger Delta region a “protest-free zone” ahead of the nationwide hunger protest scheduled to begin on August 1. Speaking at an event organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Akpabio taunted the protest organizers, saying, “Those who want to protest can protest, but let us be there eating.”
Akpabio emphasized that the people of the Niger Delta have resolved not to participate in the protest, as none of the demands of the protesters are for the good of the region. He also expressed confidence that the protest would not take place in the nine states of the Niger Delta.
The Senate President’s comments come as the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, met with some of the protest organizers and appealed to them to hold a virtual protest, but they refused. The protest is scheduled to last for ten days, from August 1 August 10.
Akpabio also acknowledged the environmental damage caused by oil and gas activities in the Niger Delta region, saying, “We acknowledge the fact that the impact of oil and gas activities in our region has done immeasurable damage to our people.” He assured that the National Assembly is ready to help with legislation to curb oil spillage and environmental pollution in the region.
The Senate President also announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved a N50,000 monthly stipend for 10,000 Niger Delta youths as part of efforts to stop them from participating in the protest. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will implement the scheme immediately.
Akpabio urged the people of the Niger Delta to shun the protest, which he claimed is being organised by “copycats” who want to replicate the Kenya episode in the country. He said that President Tinubu is addressing the infrastructural problems in the region.
The planned protest has been described as a ploy to cause chaos in President Tinubu’s administration by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who are opposed to it. However, Akpabio believes in the regime change of Tinubu, saying, “All of us feel the impact of what is happening now.”
