Hold Wike Tight, Niger Delta Group Urges Tinubu
Igoniko Oduma Yenagoa
The Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP) has advised President Bola Tinubu to believe in the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and ignore “all the reckless and mischievous catcalls and denigrating tantrums of his detractors.”
Rising from its stakeholders’ meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the NDYCPP, in a statement, described Wike as “a dependable ally” that Tinubu should hold tight for the successful implementation of his Renewed Hope Agenda.
In the statement signed by its national president, Pastor Teidor Olayinka and others, the NDYCPP said, “He (Wike) is a goal-getter, a builder of men and institutions, a visionary leader, one of the emerging frontline political leaders from the South-South geo-political zone; a mass mobilizer, a political colossus that is making giant strides in our nascent democratic dispensation.
‘Wike’s avowed commitment in spreading the dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President can be attested to, even by his die-hard critics.
“The speed with which he is carrying out projects and programmes in the FCT that is touching the lives of the people positively is clear, even for the blind to see. He is a proven political ally of Mr President and a shining light in his cabinet.
“He is bringing out components of the Abuja Master Plan that were hitherto unknown to the public and (as well) implementing them accordingly. He is very courageous and astute in building political bridges across party lines effectively. He is a known voice in our national democratic discourse.”
The group appealed to political leaders and lovers of development, particularly those from the South-South region, to support the former Rivers State governor to do more for the country.
“As for us, the Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress and the thirty-two leaders of respected and stakeholders from the Niger Delta region, we commend the Hon. Minister of FCT, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Wike for promoting regional unity
“We appreciate your good works, especially the way you are transforming the FTC. And as an Ambassador from the region who is making us proud, we will continue to support your course.”
The NDYCPP also appealed to the President to review the Treasury Single Account (TSA) as it concerns the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), saying that the policy was creating “some obvious bureaucratic and red-tapism bottlenecks in the wheel of progress at the interventionist agency.”
According to the group, the TSA was “adversely affecting the commission’s activities from carrying out projects and programmes at record timelines.”
While lauding Tinubu’s effort at spreading development to all parts of the country, particularly the Niger Delta, the group said, “We implore Mr President to take a second look at the policy (TSA) as it relates to the NDDC and make necessary adjustments that will free up funds for massive developmental targets.”
