●Says Ogbuku’s reforms are transforming the Niger Delta, urges support for Dickson’s re-election
Fiery and outspoken Niger Delta activist, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, has lauded the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, describing the Commission’s recent performance as “proof that visionary leadership can truly change the narrative of underdevelopment in the region.”
Ekerefe, who is the immediate past spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide and National Leader of the New Era Advocacy Movement, spoke in an exclusive interview where he assessed the pace of development in the Niger Delta, the current political dynamics in Bayelsa West Senatorial District, and rumours surrounding Governor Douye Diri’s alleged defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
NDDC Showing Purposeful Leadership
Ekerefe said the renewed performance of the NDDC has vindicated those who had pushed for a properly constituted and credible board for the Commission.
“As one of those who agitated for a substantive NDDC board, I can say our call was deliberate. We knew that without credible leadership, the Commission would never deliver. Today, under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, you can see tangible progress—massive road projects, youth empowerment, and community impact. For the first time in years, the NDDC is not just awarding contracts; it is changing lives.”
He also commended Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), for restoring the original objectives of the initiative and fostering peace across the region.
“The peace we enjoy today is not accidental, it’s the result of purposeful management and visionary leadership,” he noted.
Ekerefe described Ogbuku as “a product of the Niger Delta struggle” whose activist background in the IYC equips him with empathy and firmness—qualities he said are now reflecting in the NDDC’s renewed image.
“Unlike before when boards were fighting each other and projects were stalled, there’s now unity and focus. That’s real leadership,” he said.
“Some individuals are still trying to distract or pull him down, but the region needs stability, not division. His success is not personal, it’s the region’s success.”
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
 under the){kind=link}