Group Condemns Niger Delta Youths' Attack On Lokpobiri

 

 A group known as Niger Delta Nonviolence Agitators Forum (NDNAF), has condemned the desperate attacks on Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources by some Niger Delta Youths.

Recall that some youths from the region had accused the Minister of not living up to expectations as a petroleum minister as it concerns  fuel scarcity in rhe country but the group  on Thursday condemned the  attack on Dr.Heineken Lokpobiri describing it as  unfortunate.

NDNAF in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Wisdom Ikuli, and made available to journalists in Yenagoa, said the attack was a well calculated attempt at misleading gullible members of the public to hate Lokpobiri.

NDNAF stated that by all standards, Lokpobiri is an outstanding illustrious son of the Niger Delta region who has distinguished himself in so many areas stating  they were  satisfied with his relentless efforts in repositioning the oil sub-sector.

While dismissing the allegation made by the youths against Lokpobiri and by extension the Federal Government, Ikuli maintained that the Tinubu-led administration inherited the present crisis in the petroleum sector including petroleum subsidy.

According to him, relevant documents show that fuel subsidy was not in the 2023 budget that it inherited from the previous administration maintaining that things became worse because Muhammadu Buhari's administration allegedly  sold Nigeria’s crude oil in advance.

“It is quite unfortunate that the baseless accusation  by the youths was actually a well calculated attempt at misleading gullible members of the public to hate Lokpobiri whom they erroneously accused of creating avoidable artificial fuel scarcity that is making Nigerians to go through excruciating pains and hardship which is not true in any way."

“Every informed and sensitive Nigerians knows all the contentious issues including the high level of sabotage by antagonistic elements who are afraid of the good works of Mr. President that shall in the long run result in the reformed, transformed and repositioned Nigeria."

“It is indeed sad and very shameful that those who accused  Lokpobiri of incompetence, a man who had earlier served as pioneer Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly, two times Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where he served meritoriously and left indelible legacies and former Minister of State for Agriculture of do not even know the difference between the substantive Minister of Petroleum and the Minister of State (Crude)."

“It is pathetic and almost unbelievable that those who accused a Doctor of Law (Ph.D) of incompetence do not even know that their allegation about incompetence was a direct indictment on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the substantive super Minister of Petroleum Resources when Nigerians know the immeasurable and invaluable sacrifices and efforts of Mr. President to fix the rot in the country."

“It is mischievous for young people who are striving to become  great to blame such a sensitive issue and well known fact on an innocent man that places so much premium on service delivery and on the empowerment, growth and development of his people."

“It is an indisputable fact that the Ministry of Petroleum within the last one year, has experienced unprecedented rapid improvement where  Lokpobiri serves   but instead of commendation and appreciation, he is being vilified and demonized by visionless young people who are throwing tantrums."

"Niger Deltans,  should learn  to support their elected and appointed leaders and representatives who they are supposed to build synergy with instead of trying to pull them down.” The statement concluded.