The Wakirike Youth Assembly, Port Harcourt Branch, has denounced a recent media report calling for the sack of Mr. Matthew Dango, Special Adviser on Youth Affairs to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
A statement that was signed by Chief Israel Tom Aseminaso, Convener of the Wakirike Youth Assembly, emphasized the need for unity and cooperation in the region, urging individuals to refrain from actions that could undermine progress.
The statement described the report, credited to Mr. Charles Omusuku, Secretary of the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality (MOSIEND) as “misleading, provocative, and an act of sabotage.”
The youth assembly, representing the host community of the NDDC headquarters, expressed support for Mr. Dango, citing his effective performance and positive representation of Niger Delta youths.
The Assembly accused Mr. Omusuku of harboring ulterior motives, driven by envy and avarice, and attempting to jeopardize the harmonious relationship between the NDDC management and the host community.
“The reality of the situation is that sincere and patriotic youths of the Niger Delta are contented with Matthew Dango, in the manner he has been fulfilling the duties assigned to him.
“He has been effective in performing his duties and has represented the youths in the most positive light before his boss, the MD, and the management, and the Board of the NDDC.
“He is among the few SAs who have accorded the desired respect to the elders and worthy stakeholders of our region.
“We are equally confident that our indefatigable MD/CEO, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, PhD, is also content with his performance.
“The fact that Mr Charles Omusuku, a supposed Secretary of MOSIEND, an organization meant to foster unity and prosperity of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, would propagate such a contentious statement over trivial and groundless accusations reveals his true intentions and disposition.
“It is a deliberate act of sabotage aimed at jeopardizing the current harmonious relationship between the Managing Director/CEO and his aide on one hand and the cooperative relations between the host community and the commission on the other.
“Individuals like Charles Omusuku are plagued by the reprehensible “crab-mentality”; if they cannot achieve success, neither should anyone else.
“Charles Omusuku and his accomplices are undoubtedly motivated by avarice and envy, and they will go to great lengths to impede the progress of anyone willing to make right the way things are done in the region.
“Unfortunately, we have found ourselves in a region where almost everyone is a stakeholder; deviants of all kinds, naysayers, gainsayers, and those who have commercialized activism are all stakeholders.
“Their modus operandi is hoodwinking public office-holders for cash by calling for their sacks while at the same time lobbying to take over their offices from them. Wolves in sheep’s clothing whom nothing good can come out from. “They hide under the umbrella of regional non-state actors to spew gibberish against their leaders, with invectives for personal gains. These desperate individuals are ready to do anything to pull another down hoping to be bestowed with such office.”
The assembly warned against further attempts to distort the existing peace and cooperation, stating that such actions would be “vehemently resisted.” They advised individuals with grievances to address them through appropriate channels rather than resorting to public mudslinging.