A former Deputy Governor in Edo State, Dr Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, has reportedly rejected his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari into the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to serve as commissioner for Edo.
The report of Odubu’s rejection was escalated by Midwest Herald in a report it published on Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
The report said that “Subsequently, he will not attend today’s inauguration (of the Board) in Abuja.”
The newspaper quoted close sources to have said that Odubu’s rejection might not be unconnected with his belief that a position of state commissioner was below his status and therefore should be given to someone else.
But THE CONCLAVE reports that Odubu was confirmed by the Senate in 2019 as Chairman of the Board of the NDDC. The board was however not inaugurated.
When the second board was recently reconstituted by President Buhari, Odubu was dropped as Chairman for Lauretta Onochie.
This, as claimed by some quarters, might have angered Odubu to reject his demotion (reappointment) as a commissioner to represent Edo in the Board.
Recall that Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu was the Deputy Governor of Edo State (2012-2016) under Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
He was a member of the Federal House of Representatives for two terms before he became running mate to Oshiomhole in 2007.
He hails from Urhomehe in Urhonigbe North Ward, Orhionmwon Local Governrnent Area of Edo State.
Meanwhile, a political leader in Edo North told THE CONCLAVE when asked what might have led to Odubu rejecting the offer, said: “My suspicion is that he rejected the current position based on the fact of his earlier nomination and successful screening by the Senate for the position of Chairman of the Board in 2019, and refused inauguration by the President only to be re-nominated for the position of Commissioner representing Edo State.
“He refused to present himself for a second screening paving the way for his refusal to present himself for inauguration alongside the recently cleared nominees.
“As a lawyer, he is also said to be very uncomfortable with the inauguration of the Board with a subsisting court injunction restraining the Senate and the President from going ahead with the screening and inauguration of the Board.
“A Federal High Court, Abuja had granted an order stopping the National Assembly from screening and confirming the nominated chairman and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ms. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku.
“It urged that all actions on the matter be suspended pending the determination of the suit filed by Chief Edward Ekpokpo Esq., Engr. Victor Wood (both representing the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILOT) and Mr. Edward Omagbemi (representing Omadino Unity Forum) on behalf of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, challenging the nomination of the duo as Chairman and MD of the NDDC board, on Monday, December 12.
“Chief Ekpokpo Esq., Engr. Wood and Mr. Omagbemi are plaintiffs in the suit which has President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; the House of Senate, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and Chief Samuel Ogbuku as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th defendants.
“The originating summons with suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/2294/2022 is among others, seeking a restraining order on the National Assembly from screening and confirming the duo of Onochie and Ogbuku as substantive Chairman and MD of the NDDC board.
“The suit which was filed by Ama Etuwewe SAN & Co., on behalf of the plaintiffs, demands that the provisions of the NDDC Act be followed in the process, maintaining that it is the turn of the Itsekiri ethnic nationality “being the highest oil producing community in Delta state,” to produce the NDDC board chairman and MD.
“It insisted that the rights of the Itsekiri people are being “threatened” by the nomination and hitherto confirmation of the duo.
“The presiding judge, Hon. Justice J. K. Omotosho, upon reading the affidavit and hearing the counsel to the plaintiff, ordered “that the reliefs relating to Interim injunction are hereby refused.
“That leave is hereby granted to the plaintiffs to serve the 5th and 6th defendants with the originating processes in this suit by substituted means to wit by advertising the processes in at least one national newspaper circulating within the jurisdiction of this to court and to deem same as proper service.
“That an order is hereby made that no party in this suit shall take any step or act or action that may make the outcome of the pending motion on notice for injunction Dated and filed 12th December 2022, nugatory.
“That any act or step or action taken in this order to make the outcome of the said motion on notice dated and filed 12th December, 2022 nugatory shall be a nullity”.
The court had adjourned the matter to January 11, 2023 for further hearing.
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