Elders, youth groups and stakeholders from the Niger Delta region have urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana O. Umana to immediately suspend or sack the Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Effiong Akwa.
The groups alleged that Akwa is using a third party to file frivolous lawsuits against the Nigerian government in order to keep him in office until May 2023.
Akwa, whose interim tenure has expired, on Friday, August 19, 2022, allegedly dragged the federal government to a Federal High Court, in Abuja, using a third party.
The Niger Delta Stakeholders, through its Secretary-General, Chief Anthony Loveday, in a statement via electronic mail, accused Akwa of using a third party to file lawsuits and injunctions in court to restrain the federal government, describing it as a ploy to keep him in office until 2023.
The suit was filed against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
In his statement, Loveday said, “Mr. Akwa through his allies have filed a case, and they plan to serve all defendants including the presidency on Monday, the 22nd August 2022 or latest on Tuesday, the 23rd August.
They intend to use the court’s injunctions to tie down the hands of the President and the Minister of Niger Delta to frustrate them into resolving to manage Akwa as interim administrator until May 2023.
“They have some high-profile allies in the Ministry of Justice that will direct the ministry’s lawyers to stall and sabotage the cases by employing delay tactics and adjournments until May 2023.
However, during this period of judicial intervention, no substantive NDDC board can be appointed and inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari until the courts are done with their cases because the status-quo must be maintained.”
“This is devastating for the suffering people in the Niger Delta region. These politicians are only thinking of their personal interests and how to remain in office by any means necessary, they are not thinking about the people.
In fact, Mr. Akwa and his allies in the Ministry of Justice might file more court cases in other federal high courts to completely tie down the hands of the Minister to enable him to remain in Office until May 2023,” the statement reads.
📌 Editor’s Note: For content partnerships and collaborations, reach out via editor@naija247news.com
Naija247news Media Group LLC is committed to ethical, independent journalism that serves the public interest. Our editorial process prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and transparency in reporting. All content is fact-checked and held to the highest standards of integrity. Learn more in our full editorial policy here.
© 2025 Naija247news Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from Naija247news Media Group LLC.
Reporting by Naija247news in Lagos, Nigeria.
