In a move that has sparked widespread concern and disappointment across the North and among citizens of the hydroelectric power-producing states, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Mrs. Tomi Somefun, a native of Oyo State, as the Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC).
This appointment is not only a violation of the N-HYPPADEC Act, which clearly states that the Managing Director must be a citizen of one of the N-HYPPADEC states, but also a direct insult to the people who have long borne the brunt of the ecological and social consequences of hydroelectric power generation.
The affected states, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Nassarawa, Taraba and Gombe have suffered displacement, environmental degradation, and economic neglect for decades due to the construction and operation of dams and power infrastructure on their land. The creation of N-HYPPADEC was a response to address these life threatening challenges. It was designed to give voice, development, and leadership to those directly impacted.
How then can someone from Oyo State, a state with no direct stake or suffering under hydroelectric projects, be appointed to head this Commission? It is unjust, unacceptable, and must be reversed.
I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:
To respect the law, to uphold federal character, and to honor the sacrifice and suffering of HYPPADEC states by immediately reversing this appointment. Appointing someone who is not from a HYPPADEC state is a clear violation of the spirit and letter of the Commission’s establishment act.
This is not a political protest-it is a constitutional demand.
I also call on:
Traditional leaders, elders, and the entire leadership of the HYPPADEC states to speak out against this injustice.
Northern youth, student unions, and civil society to organize, advocate, and resist this appointment peacefully but decisively.
Members of the National Assembly representing HYPPADEC states to raise this issue on the floor and ensure it is addressed immediately.
If this is allowed to stand, it sets a dangerous precedence that regional development commissions can be hijacked, and that the rights of impacted communities can be ignored.
We must not remain silent in the face of injustice. We must rise in defense of our laws, our people, and our dignity.
Our Message is Clear:
Mr. President, reverse this appointment. Respect the law. Respect the people. Respect justice.
Signed
Amb. Nmaa Ahmed. PhD
DG RAAMP Niger State.
