Collision in APC.... As three key personalities in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are on a course for collision as they all
jostle to get their respective nominees to serve as the substantive MD for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The report has it that, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole and Rotimi Amaechi the immediate past Minister of Transportation are enmeshed in a power play on who would produce the Managing Director of the commission.
The National Leader of the APC has been said to be promoting a candidate from the southwest, precisely Ondo State, to get the position for the first time. On the other hand, Oshiomhole wants a candidate from his home state of Edo, Samson Osagie, to become the new MD of the NDDC.
The immediate past Minister of Transportation, is said to have largely influenced the formation of the past board of the NDDC and is said to be rooting for Nelson Brambaifa who is currently acting at the helm of affairs of the commission as he reportedly influenced his appointment in the first place.
This power moves by the political heavyweights is coming as the President is said to be thinking of reconstituting the board of the commission after it was dissolved five months ago.
Tinubu is said to be angling for Oke, from Ondo State to be appointed in that capacity.
It is said that the deputy governor of Ondo State Mr Agboola Ajayi is as well angling for the position as he may not be interested in running alongside Akeredolu in his bid to govern the state for another tenure.
This is he is said to be secretly carrying out consultations with his associates ahead of the governorship elections coming up in the state next year, 2020.
“The race for the headship of the agency is getting more interesting by the day; this time around, it appears Amaechi may not have a field day like he had the other time because other big fishes have entered the river. Already, we are seeing the signs of people trying to outplay one another.
“So much intrigues have come into play and this time around, it’s survival of the fittest from all indications because the case of Ondo which is being pushed by a prominent leader of the party looks very strong and it cannot be ignored at all.
“If Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa have all had the MD position twice, it then means that Ondo which is the fifth in production quota should be given a chance to produce the next MD of NDDC.
“Yes, Edo has good case too but since Ondo is higher in production quota than Edo, I strongly believe that our national chairman can show understanding for the Sunshine state to take this turn for Edo to follow next.
“What is most disturbing was the idea that anyone who occupies the position of NDDC MD thinks it is a springboard for the governorship of his state. We are trying to discourage that notion because it does not give room for the NDDC to be focused on its vision for the people of the Niger Delta region,” he said.
Oke had served as the APC presidential campaign coordinator in the South-West during the 2019 elections. He is said to have received the support of Tinubu after he was reportedly told to forget his plans to contest as Governor of Ondo State in 2020.
