General Preye Ekpebide, the Third Phase National Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has called for the removal of Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe as Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). He cited concerns over the alleged marginalization of the Ijaw people in key national institutions.
Ekpebide made the demand while emphasizing the need for inclusive leadership in the Niger Delta region. He said effective leadership must prioritize unity, shared growth, and sustainable development over narrow tribal interests.
According to him, leadership within critical agencies such as the NCDMB must reflect the ethnic diversity of the Niger Delta. He warned that sidelining any ethnic group, particularly the Ijaw people, could undermine the fragile peace in the oil-rich region.
The Third Phase Amnesty leader stressed that true leadership must promote fairness and equal representation. He noted that exclusion from strategic national agencies risks reviving old grievances that had previously fueled unrest in the Niger Delta.
Ekpebide expressed concern that continued marginalization could destabilize the region. He stated that the Niger Delta has made significant progress in maintaining peace, and that progress must not be jeopardized by perceived inequities.
He therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter. He also urged the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and other relevant authorities to take immediate corrective action.
Specifically, Ekpebide demanded that Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe be relieved of his duties as Executive Secretary of the NCDMB. He appealed for the appointment of a replacement who would embody competence, integrity, and inclusivity.
The Amnesty leader said the Nigerian Content Development initiative was designed to benefit all communities in the Niger Delta. He argued that its leadership must align with that broader vision of equitable participation and development.
Ekpebide reiterated that leadership in the region should not be driven by sectional interests. Instead, he said, it must foster collective advancement and ensure that no ethnic group feels excluded from national opportunities.
He warned that failure to address the concerns could rekindle tensions. According to him, the Niger Delta cannot afford a return to a period marked by unrest and agitation.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme was established to stabilize the Niger Delta after years of militancy. Ekpebide noted that sustaining peace requires deliberate efforts to maintain fairness and inclusivity in governance structures.
He stated that agencies operating within the region must be sensitive to the historical context of the Niger Delta. Ensuring balanced representation, he said, is critical to maintaining trust among the various ethnic groups.
Ekpebide further emphasized that the Ijaw people, as a significant ethnic group in the Niger Delta, deserve equitable representation. He argued that excluding them from strategic positions undermines confidence in federal institutions.
He concluded by affirming that the people of the Niger Delta demand fairness and equity. He stressed that development efforts must reflect the collective aspirations of all communities rather than serving a select few.
“Our people demand fairness. Our people deserve equity. And our development must reflect the collective aspirations of every community in the Niger Delta, not just the interests of a select few,” Ekpebide said.
The call adds to ongoing discussions about representation and inclusivity in federal agencies operating in the Niger Delta. It also underscores the sensitivity surrounding appointments in institutions tied to the region’s oil and gas sector.
As of the time of his statement, there had been no official response from the NCDMB or the federal government regarding the demand. The issue is expected to generate further reactions from stakeholders within the Niger Delta and beyond.
