The Publisher of Ika Weekly Newspaper, Mr. Steve Ekiri-Mekiriuwa Ashien has congratulated Barr. Chiedu Ebie on the latest decision of the Federal High Court which upheld his appointment as Chairman, Governing Board, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), saying that the Judge demonstrated the highest level of wisdom needed in this critical moment of our existence.
Ashien’s statement came via a release personally signed by him on Thursday November 7, 2024, and made available to news men in Agbor, Delta state.According to him, the spontaneous jubilation from Niger Delta region that trailed the judgment delivered by the Abuja Federal High Court, proves beyond reasonable doubt that the court spoke the mind of Niger Deltans in particular and Nigerians in general.
In his words, “From the people’s reaction, it is clear that Mr. Ebie was perfectly appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, properly screened by the National Assembly, and won at both the Federal High Court as well as the court of public opinion’’.While drumming support for Ebie led Governing Board and Management of Niger Development Commission, insisting that all should consider the unity, peace, and general good of Niger Deltans as bigger and more important than any individual or group interest. The Agbor based community newspaper publisher specifically praised the Governing Board Chairman for the maturity with which he has so far piloted the affairs of the Commission.Steve Ashien highlighted the unprecedented peace and unity among members of the governing board and management of the Commission, noting that the Commission’s present leadership and management has amply ushered into the political space called Niger Delta region, a leadership approach that has rendered further conflict and agitation which hitherto characterizes the Commission as unnecessary.
‘’Ebie, according to him is a reformer and a technocrat, whose public leadership qualities are not only academic but people-focused and solution-oriented.
Speaking further, he said: As Delta State Commissioner for Primary and Basic Education, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ebie put in superlative quality service delivery to the admiration of all Deltans. It is on this note therefore that I call on all and sundry to accord him and other members of the governing board and management, the needed support in their present assignment’’. The statement concluded.Recall that Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, presiding over the case in Abuja, on Thursday, dismissed the lawsuit filed by certain oil-producing communities from Bayelsa and Delta states seeking to nullify Ebie’s appointment.
The plaintiffs, led by Chief Goodnews Gereghewei, Chief Eddy Brayei, and Mr. Jonah Engineyouwei, argued that Ebie’s appointment violated the NDDC Act, claiming he did not represent the oil-producing area with the highest production quantum.
Justice Abdulmalik’s ruling rejected these claims, affirming the legality of Ebie’s appointment by President Bola Tinubu.
Following the judgment, Ebie expressed his satisfaction, emphasizing that the court’s decision reaffirms justice within the judiciary.
