Tinubu replaces Ondo, Cross River nominees to NDDC board

President Bola Tinubu has approved the replacement of Victor Akinjo as the Ondo state representative nominated to the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The president directed that he should be replaced with Otito Atikase.

Tinubu also replaced Asi Oku Okang, the Cross River state nominee, with Orok Otuk Duke.

The nomination of Akinjo and Okang had elicited criticism, particularly from members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The replacements were announced in a statement on Friday signed by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president.

“President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate replacement of the NDDC’s Ondo State Representative nominee, Mr. Victor Akinjo, with a new Ondo State Representative nominee, Hon. Otito Atikase,” the statement reads.

“The President has equally approved the immediate replacement of the NDDC’s Cross River State Representative nominee, Mr. Asi Oku Okang, with a new Cross River State Representative, Rt. Hon. Orok Otuk Duke.

“Furthermore, the immediate past Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is reappointed to a second term and will remain in an acting capacity, pending the Senate’s confirmation of his reappointment.”

The Cross River branch of the APC had faulted the appointment of Okang and said it was “annoying and politically suicidal”.

Also, the APC in Ondo rejected Akinjo’s appointment, saying it could “demoralise” members who “greatly contributed to the success of the ruling party during the elections”.