The Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for ordering all members of his cabinet and appointees vying for electoral offices to resign on or before May 16.
NDYC National Coordinator, Jator Abido, in a statement Wednesday in Abuja, said that the President has acted in line with the amended Electoral Act.
Abido said the group was satisfied with the president’s order, noting that it has helped to distinguish him as a man of honour who does not associate himself with lawlessness.
“Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act provides that, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”
According to him, this singular act by the president has brought about trust in his leadership and the anti-corruption fight.
He called on Buhari and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to begin to investigate and audit the accounts of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and its supervising Ministry of Niger Delta affairs.
He said the audit would help in ensuring that money meant for the development of the Niger Delta region was used judiciously.
“This money must not be used by corrupt politicians in sponsoring their campaigns and luxurious lifestyle at the expense of the poor and vulnerable people of the Niger Delta,’’ Abido said.
He said that the council was willing to partner with aspirants from the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large who have concrete solutions to the country’s problems, especially the challenges facing the region.
“As the 2023 general elections draw near, we wish to state categorically that our doors are open to partner and work with candidates who have the interest of Nigeria at heart.
“With more than 40 per cent of voters in the Niger Delta, we believe that our partnership will surely be rewarding”, the coordinator said.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s order came at Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, in Abuja.
The affected cabinet members affected include; Ministers of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Niger Delta, Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige and Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu.
Others are; the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State, Mines and Steel, Uche Ogar, is running for the governorship position in Abia.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has also declared her ambition to contest the senatorial seat in Plateau State.
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