ATTACK ON IDONGESIT NKANGA: UNNECESSARY WASTE OF ENERGY

Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga(rtd

The myriad of vicious media attacks and insults against the National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum(PANDEF), His Excellency, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga(rtd), over his endorsement of the National Assembly's intention to probe the alleged N40 billion fraud by NDDC is uncalled for.


As an elder statesman, his responsibility include advocating for good governance, Justice and adherence to democratic principles by political office holders, which he has done over the years.

PANDEF as an advocacy forum made up of elders with sound minds from the Niger Delta extraction has from time to time been advocating for a currupt-free Nigeria, supporting good leadership among others since its inception, and no one ever coughed. But it makes a concerned mind to wonder why the recent call by PANDEF for the NASS to continue with the planned probe of alleged misappropriation of funds by the NDDC and the Interim Management Committee(IMC) has raised dust, instigating attacks from APC loyalists in the state against the leadership of PANDEF.

The forum was equally in support of President's Buhari's order for the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) last year. But why this attack on Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga this time around?

Media hirelings sponsored by the Minister of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Godswill Akpabio have not failed to insult the elder statesman, calling him names for standing for justice and equity. A faceless group named  "Akwa Ibom State Concerned Elders" has equally spat fire, wailed and panted over the development, calling the leadership of PANDEF names. It makes one to begin to think that the Akwa Ibom Concerned Elders is a beneficiary of the proceeds of fraud that has bedeviled and amputated the growth and strength of the Commission. Why should elders support fraud and corruption? Why shouldn't they respect themselves and wait for the outcome of the forensic audit?

Why would such a group shamelessly kick against the path of justice, especially at a time when coronavirus pandemic has devastated our economy, leaving it in a state of economic convulsion?

What did Idongesit Nkanga really say that triggered such insult from Akpabio's boys and those retired and politically irrelevant elders? It must be noted that during the time that Idongesit Nkanga was sacrificing for the repositioning of Akwa Ibom State politically and otherwise, some of the people calling themselves elders were doing 419 businesses.

Since our son Godswill Akpabio is at the helms of affairs of the NDDC, should PANDEF which is much concerned with the affairs of the Niger Delta fold their hands and watch things go wrong in that Commission? No. It should not be so. If Akpabio is clean, there should not be any reason for fear and paid insult. Such forensic audit to be carried out by the National Assembly is in the best interest and development of the Niger Delta.

Throughout Akpabio's tenure as governor, Idongesit Nkanga was solidly behind him, playing both advisory and fatherly role throughout his tenure. Why is such fatherly role considered an attack on Akpabio today?

It is very obvious that an old woman would always feel uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb. But let us all, especially the Niger Deltans wait for the outcome of the forensic audit, and then truth shall speak for itself.