The Nigerian House of Representatives has stepped down a motion that sought to urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restore the original name of the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, which was recently rebranded as the Ministry for Regional Development. The motion, presented by Oboku Oforji (PDP, Bayelsa), was dismissed after the House deemed it “overtaken by events.”
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen explained that, following recent discussions with President Tinubu, there is openness from the President to consider a South-South Development Commission Bill, specifically aimed at addressing the needs of the Niger Delta. This new development prompted Speaker Tajudeen to suggest putting the motion aside, noting that some of the issues raised by the motion were already being addressed.
House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) also highlighted that the ministry’s rebranding is intended to broaden developmental efforts to other regions without undermining the Niger Delta’s needs. He emphasized that the attention to the Niger Delta will remain, even as the ministry’s scope expands.
In his argument, Oforji recalled the ministry’s establishment by former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on September 10, 2008, emphasizing that it was designed as a catalyst for peace and development in a region that contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economy yet struggles with poverty and environmental damage. Oforji highlighted years of underdevelopment, including oil spills and inadequate infrastructure, which had previously spurred unrest in the Niger Delta.
The motion also noted that the recent announcement of the ministry’s renaming had stirred tension in the region. Oforji expressed concerns that the change might be seen as dismissive of the Niger Delta’s vital contributions and the aspirations of its people, urging the House to respect the ministry’s founding goals.
News Editor