President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated one of his aides, Lauretta Onochie as the substantive chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The Delta-born Onochie is currently Special Adviser on Social Media to the president.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan confirmed the development at Senate plenary on Wednesday when he read a nomination letter from President Buhari.
Twelve other persons were also named to the board of the commission.
They are Samuel Ibukun, Managing Director; Charles Ehigie Airhiavbere, Director of Finance; Charles Ogunmola, Director of Project; Dimgba Erugba (Abia), Ene Wilcox (Akwa Ibom), Pius Odudu (Edo), Gbenga Odegba (Ondo), Anthony Ekene (Imo) and Onyekachi Dimgba (Rivers).
Also nominated are Mohammed Kabiru Abubakar (Nasarawa), Tallen Mamma (Adamawa) and Sodique Sani.
Recall that Buhari in October 2020 nominated Onochie as a Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, her nomination sparked public outrage on account of her membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
She was eventually disqualified after screening by the Upper Chamber in 2021.