Some Niger Delta elders on Tuesday (Today) will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

It will be the first meeting between the Presidency and stakeholders of the aggrieved region.

Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu on Monday said the meeting had already started generating controversies between the elders.

Kachikwu, who spoke about the controversies surrounding the meeting during a gas conference in Abuja on Monday, said, “We are having our first meeting (tomorrow), which is already becoming very contentious. We would be surprised if it wasn’t. We were encouraged to continue to engage, despite these misunderstandings. I am personally committed to ensuring a very robust engagement with every stakeholder in the region to ensure the sense of inclusion.”

According to Punch, the elders have resolved to reject  the Federal Government’s move to launch a $10bn (N4tn) infrastructural rebirth investment programme in the area during the meeting.

It was also learnt that the elders have resolved the problem about those who should attend the meeting.

A source said all ethnic groups have been included in the list of participants.

The source said, “All the ethnic groups in the Niger Delta would be represented in the meeting. For stance, Prof. Gabriel Darah, and Prof. Amos Utuamah would lead the Urhobos; the Olu of Warri nominated people including Chief Isaac Jemide for the Itsekiri; a former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Olisah Imegwu, will represent Ndokwa; and the President General of Isoko Development Union, Gen. Iduh Amadhe, will represent the Isoko people.”

Azeez