Crisis Deepens in Niger Delta as Ex-Agitators Split Over Planned NDDC Protest
By Passman Akpos
Tension is mounting in the Niger Delta following a sharp division among ex-agitators over a planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with rival factions trading accusations and asserting competing claims to leadership.
A prominent ex-agitator, Comrade Tonye Bobo, has openly rejected the planned demonstration spearheaded by a faction of the Third Phase Ex-Agitators Forum led by “General” Elaye ThankGod Dollar Slaboh. In a statement issued in Yenagoa, Bobo dismissed the protest as “misguided and unnecessary,” insisting that the group lacks legitimacy
According to him, “General” Preye Ekpebide remains the only recognized leader of the Third Phase under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), warning that any attempt by Slaboh and his followers to act in that capacity amounts to impersonation and could attract legal consequences.
“I want to make it clear that Elaye Slaboh and his group are not the legitimate leaders of the third phase. What they are doing is impersonation, and it is a crime. Their planned protest is misplaced and will not succeed,” Bobo stated.
He further urged members of the public and stakeholders to disregard calls for protest, while commending the NDDC under Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for what he described as visible development efforts across the region. Bobo highlighted projects such as solar-powered street lighting, road and bridge construction, school laboratory upgrades, and skill acquisition programmes, noting that many ex-agitators have benefited.
However, in a strongly worded counter-statement, the Slaboh-led faction insisted that the protest remains “alive, active, and gathering momentum,” dismissing claims of cancellation as deliberate misinformation.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Slaboh declared that the protest would proceed at a strategically chosen time, emphasizing that growing support from pressure groups and stakeholders has necessitated a delay in announcing a specific date.
“The delay is intentional. Several pressure groups and stakeholders have keyed into this struggle, and we are giving them the opportunity to fully mobilize. The date will not be publicly announced. When the time comes, the action will speak louder than any notice,” he said.
The faction accused the current NDDC leadership of failing to meet expectations, alleging that the commission has become skewed toward political elites rather than serving the broader interests of Niger Delta communities.
They raised concerns over alleged selective award of contracts and empowerment opportunities, claiming that genuine stakeholders, including ex-agitators, have been sidelined.
“It is deeply troubling that while the ordinary people of the Niger Delta continue to suffer neglect, there are allegations that contracts are being awarded to a narrow circle of political actors. This raises serious questions about transparency and accountability,” the statement read.
Rejecting suggestions of political sponsorship, the group maintained that the protest is driven solely by the need to demand fairness, equity, and accountability in the management of the region’s resources.
“This protest is not politics—it is a demand for justice. It is not a threat—it is a necessity,” the statement added.
With both sides holding firm to their positions, the unfolding dispute underscores growing tensions within the ex-agitator community and raises concerns about potential unrest in the region if the situation is not carefully managed.
Observers say the coming days will be critical as stakeholders watch closely to see whether dialogue can bridge the divide or if the looming protest will further escalate tensions in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
