The group also said the recent ultimatum by those they described as impostors given to current NDDC management to vacate office or face severe actions was a mere distraction.
Recall that the Coalition of Ex-agitators of Niger Delta in a statement said they will shut down the NDDC at the expiration of the five days deadline.
The CEND alleged that the Dr Ogbuku-led management had ignored the directive of President Bola Tinubu that boards of all parastatals and agencies of the Federal Government be dissolved.
But the Authentic Niger Delta ex agitators in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday, described the threat by the group as mischievous.
They said as genuine leaders of all ex-agitators, it finds it absurd that a group of impostors will be issuing threats to cause disaffection among the people of the Niger Delta region.
The statement was signed by HRH Henry Binidodogha, President First Phase, Olotu Wanemi, National Chairman Second Phase, and Tonye Bobo, National Chairman Third Phase.
The ex-agitators condemned calls for the removal of the present Management Committee of the NDDC.
They expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Dr Ogbuku-led management of the NDDC and distanced themselves from anyone or group holding contrary views.
The statement read in part: “As major stakeholders in the region, we are worried by the frequent changes of leadership in the foremost interventionist agency in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.
“This disruptive change of guards impedes the development of the region.
We are aware that some powerful individuals who previously benefited from the years of sleaze are behind the new threats.
“Their unfortunate mission, which is against the mandate of the NDDC, is meant to truncate the changes that are taking place at the Commission.
“We urge Niger Delta stakeholders to disregard those seeking to disrupt the system because it is obvious that they are sponsored to sow the seeds of discord in the hope of benefitting from the chaos that will follow.
“The stakeholders should note that the self-serving agents of disharmony are merely heating up the system knowing that President Bola Tinubu is in the process of reconstituting the NDDC Board.”
They reminded people of the Niger Delta that the threat to shut down the operations of the NDDC was no longer fashionable, saying as genuine stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, they have since embraced peaceful engagement since the emergence of the Ogbuku-led management team.
“It is noteworthy that within a very short period of time, Dr Ogbuku and his team have laid the foundation for the rapid economic development of the region and put in place an enduring and sustainable governance structure for the effective operations of the Commission.
“We note that as a former youth leader himself, Dr Samuel Ogbuku has been through the mill and is well prepared for the leadership position he is occupying today.
“The leadership of the authentic ex-agitators is happy that Mr. President retained Dr. Ogbuku to continue to pilot affairs of the commission until a new board is constituted, ” the statement added.
It said, “Majority of genuine ex-agitators, who were in the thick of the struggle to emancipate the Niger Delta region, know their own.
“It is, therefore, unthinkable for fellow ex-agitators to call for the sack of the management currently headed by Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who is dearly loved by his people.
“We appeal to Niger Delta stakeholders to refrain from destabilizing the development vehicle that is being strengthened to provide for the welfare of our people.”
