The Benin United Forum (BUF) has strongly criticized the accusations made by the Benin National Congress (BNC) against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, regarding political appointments and project allocations in Edo South Senatorial District. BUF dismissed the claims as a baseless “witch-hunt and blackmail” in a statement released over the weekend.
According to BUF, the allegations by BNC, led by Ambassador Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo and Comrade Maxwell Uwagboe, assert that five significant projects under the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry’s 2024 budget were exclusively allocated to Edo North, where Minister Momoh hails from, neglecting other parts of the Niger Delta, particularly Edo South Senatorial District—known for its oil and gas production basin.
In response, BUF, represented by Mr. Iyamu Osaro Culture, President, and Osayuki Benson, Secretary-General, issued a press statement advising Edokpolo and Uwagboe to refrain from pursuing a “pull him down syndrome” in the guise of agitation. The BUF statement highlighted the historical significance of Minister Momoh being the first individual from Edo to hold the position of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, a departure from previous administrations’ practices.
The BUF statement also questioned the silence of BNC leaders on issues such as the utilization of the 13% derivation given by the Federal Government to Edo State and the actions of past and present NDDC representatives from Edo South Senatorial District. BUF urged the accusers to scrutinize the activities of Edo State Government in handling the development funds and challenged them to address instances where leaders from Edo South had allegedly underdeveloped the Senatorial District.
In conclusion, BUF advised Edokpolor and Uwagboe to focus their agitation and engagement on leaders within Edo South who, according to BUF, may have contributed to the underdevelopment of the Senatorial District, rather than pursuing what they referred to as shadows.