Buhari, Niger Delta stakeholders, Govs in crucial meeting

Jonathan, Tompolo, Asari-Dokubu absent

ABUJA-A crucial meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Niger Delta stakeholders is currently underway in Abuja. Holding at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the meeting parades the crème de la crème in the Niger Delta region consisting of 9 States namely Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Cross Rivers, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Abia. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as well as governors of Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Cross River are in attendance. Also, the secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. Lawal Babachair and a handful of other cabinet members are present. The Service Chiefs as well as a critical bunch from the National Assembly are also present. Amongst the stakeholders from Niger Delta included Chief Edwin Clarke, His Royal Majesty, Chief Diette Spiff, former governor of Cross River, Donald Duke, former governor of Akwa Ibom, Obong Victor Atta, Ankio Briggs, Alabo Graham Douglas, Timi Alaibe, Mr. Nduka Ogbegbena and a host of others. However, former President Goodluck Jonathan, a frontline stakeholder from the region was not present at the meeting, so also Mujahid Dokubo-Asari and Tompolo. However, it was not known whether they were invited to the meeting. It will be recalled that Niger Delta region had been in rife with untoward activities of militants which had greatly affected oil production, unarguably the mainstay of the nation’s economy. It is expected that the meeting would discuss the issues and similar ones especially the bombing of oil and gas installations in the area as Journalists await the details.

(vanguardngr)