“We are rejecting the nominees based on the established laws of the NDDC. The HostCom has competent sons and daughters who can represent us on the board of the NDDC,” Adejugba said.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to review the NDDC Act before making nominations and assigning portfolios, expressing faith in the president’s commitment to the rule of law.
Adejugba highlighted the Ugbo Kingdom as the sole oil-producing community in Ondo state and warned the state government against conspiracies targeting the kingdom.
He urged the federal government to withdraw the current nominee list and make fresh nominations from the Ugbo Kingdom, emphasizing that the HostCom had written to the President, his Chief of Staff, and the National Security Adviser with this request.
The Chairman warned that if the government fails to address their concerns, the HostCom may take matters into its own hands, with potential repercussions felt by all.
“Should the federal government persist in violating the law, we will support such actions, albeit with the intention of ensuring that their consequences are felt by all,” Adejugba warned.
In a letter to the National Security Adviser, the HostCom reiterated the need for appointees to the NDDC board to come from oil-producing communities, citing a history of such nominations since the board’s inception in 2000.
The letter revealed that previous appointees not from these communities led to legal disputes, with cases filed in Federal High Courts in Abuja and Akure.
The HostCom implored the National Security Adviser to recommend someone from the Ugbo Kingdom for board membership and convene a meeting with stakeholders to verify the original oil producers in Ondo state.
The letter concluded with a cautionary note, threatening to shut down oil facilities if their concerns are not addressed.
“Sir, we kindly request that you take immediate action to address this matter. This letter serves to notify you of our concerns and offers you an opportunity to resolve them.
“If the appointment of individuals from outside the Host community, as happened in the previous government, were to occur again, our only recourse would be to shut down all oil facilities within our jurisdiction, both onshore and offshore. However, at this moment, the Host communities depend on your ability to bring justice into action,” the letter read in part.
The HostCom’s strong opposition to the NDDC nominations appears to underscore a growing tension in Ondo State, with potential implications for the state’s oil production and broader economic stability.
The federal government’s response to these demands, and the actions of the HostCom if their demands are not met, will likely shape the future trajectory of this issue.