By Tope Kolawole
Some Niger Delta youths have categorically distanced themselves from the recent statements made by former Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide President Udengs Eradiri, describing his defence of the Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) pipeline surveillance contract as self-serving propaganda designed to protect personal and vested interests.
Under the aegis of the Niger Delta Centre for Justice and Accountability (NDCJA), the youths said Eradiri does not speak for the Niger Delta people.
They noted that his views represent a narrow, self-interested perspective that overlooks the widespread suffering, economic sabotage, and ongoing plunder of national resources that continue to afflict communities across the region.
In a statement released today, NDCJA Executive Director Comrade Efe Justice declared: “We have no affiliation whatsoever with Udengs Eradiri or the views he expressed in his recent interview.
“We distance ourselves completely from his assertions and reject the notion that critics of the Tantita contract are ‘enemies of Nigeria.’ Such inflammatory language is a tired tactic used by those who benefit from the status quo to silence legitimate demands for accountability.”
Justice accused Eradiri of “speaking for his pocket” and acting as an apologist for a failed arrangement that continues to bleed the nation dry.
“Eradiri’s praise for Tompolo and Tantita ignores hard realities: oil theft remains rampant, costing Nigeria up to $15 billion annually—hundreds of thousands of barrels per day disappearing into criminal networks.
“Recent discoveries of major illegal bunkering hubs, including in Abia State in early 2026, prove that the current model has not neutralised the threat.
“Criminals adapt, shift operations, and exploit gaps while the contract drains ₦48 billion of public money every year. If this is what Eradiri calls ‘success’ and ‘peace,’ then we are dealing with a dangerous delusion.
“Tompolo’s company has not eradicated oil theft but merely shifted its patterns, with production gains attributed more to broader efforts than to any singular entity’s monopoly. The so-called thousands of jobs often remain unevenly distributed, temporary, or tied to patronage networks, leaving widespread youth unemployment and community grievances unaddressed.”
To achieve lasting security and equitable benefits for the Niger Delta, the NDCJA calls for the complete decentralization of pipeline surveillance contracts.
The group said this would involve awarding separate, competitive contracts to different reputable companies in each oil-producing state, based on transparent bidding processes, verifiable track records in security and community engagement, and strict performance metrics.
Such an approach, it noted, would foster greater local inclusion, reduce the risks of favoritism or monopolistic control, and encourage innovation in surveillance techniques across diverse terrains and communities.
“Decentralization is not fragmentation but smart, inclusive security,” the statement emphasised. “By engaging multiple competent firms per state—selected through open, merit-based processes—we can ensure broader stakeholder participation, better intelligence gathering from host communities, and stronger deterrence against theft and vandalism.
” This model aligns with true federalism, promotes fiscal responsibility, and prevents any single entity from holding disproportionate influence over national assets.”
“President Tinubu and well meaning Nigerians should ask Eradiri if there are no competent people in Bayelsa, where he is from, to handle Pipeline surveillance contract for the state”.
“It is Eradiri who is an enemy of Nigeria. He has prioritized his pocket over the interest of our region, country and economy. His views are simply a desperate attempt to protect his stomach”.
The group urged President Tinubu to prioritise this reform as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, conducting an independent audit of existing contracts before any renewal or extension.
“Nigeria cannot afford to cling to a failed, centralized patronage system disguised as progress,” it added. “True accountability demands decentralization now, with transparency and proven competence as the guiding principles, to safeguard our oil wealth for all citizens rather than a privileged few.”
