Eshanekpe Israel, known as Akpodoro, a former militant leader and Mayor of Urhoboland, has urged northern youths to hold their past leaders accountable for the current economic woes facing Nigeria, as reported by Vanguard.
Speaking in Ughelli, Delta State, Akpodoro criticized the recent national protest by northern youths under the #Endbadgovernment10DaysOfRage banner, stating that instead of protesting, they should question the economic mismanagement of the previous administration.
Akpodoro’s call for accountability was directed at the leaders of the previous federal administration, particularly those who were in power during the period of economic decline. He argued that failing to address the actions of these leaders would be an injustice to the Nigerian people.
Akpodoro stated that President Bola Tinubu should not be blamed for the economic issues inherited from his predecessors. He said that the previous administration had, according to statements from Finance Minister Olawale Edun, sold Nigeria’s crude oil upfront for two years, collecting the proceeds and leaving the current administration to deal with the consequences.
The Mayor also criticized the handling of Nigeria’s resources under the past administration. He claimed that significant figures from the previous government should face questioning, arrest, and prosecution for their roles in economic mismanagement and neglect of the nation’s youth.
Akpodoro, who also leads the National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators (NCNDE-A), asserted that the lack of accountability for past government officials is an insult to Nigeria’s national integrity. He warned that this failure to address past wrongs could have long-term negative impacts on the nation.
He recalled instances of corruption during the previous administration, including allegations of dubious contracts and misuse of funds, specifically citing a scandal involving the branding of an Ethiopian plane as Air Nigeria. Akpodoro suggested that such actions had a detrimental effect on both the national economy and the welfare of Nigerian youths.
The Mayor criticized the previous administration for prioritizing the exploitation of Nigeria’s oil resources while neglecting the potential of solid minerals from the northern region.
He said, “Under Buhari’s administration, we had a scam where the then Minister branded an Ethiopian plane in Air Nigeria colours and presented same as being the Air Nigeria that huge funds was voted for including award of dubious contracts to himself and his immediate family members.
“They sold the crude oil from the Niger Delta region upfront while solid minerals from the Northern region were shielded from adding value to the national economy leaving it in the hands of his hegemonic northern born-to-rules to exploit for their individual advantage as the youths of that region languish in perpetual despondency.”….Vìêw–Morê