The Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) on Thursday
distanced itself from the threats by an ex-militant leader, Alhaji Mujahid
Dokubo-Asari that Niger Delta militants might return to the creeks to protest
against the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election.
IYC, however, said it would cooperate with and closely
monitor the incoming administration of Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) to
“see their (its) dance steps.”
The President of IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, made the
clarifications in Abuja after reading a communique issued at the end of its
meeting held at Tuomo community in Delta State to review the outcome of the
March 28, 2015 Presidential election.
He also expressed sadness over what he described as
the deliberate efforts by the core North and a section of the Southwest “to
frustrate the administration of Jonathan and force him out of power through
false media propaganda and insurgency in the North in connivance with some
foreign countries.”
Eradiri accused the unnamed foreign countries of
displaying “obvious bias during the electoral process.”
He added, “The Ijaw nation, satisfied with the
performance and conduct of President Jonathan in office, will warmly welcome
him back home from national service.”
Dokubo-Asari, leader of Niger-Delta Peoples Volunteers
Force, had in a statement by his spokesperson, Mr. Rex Anighoro, said the
voting pattern showed that the Southwest and the North “ganged up” against the
South-South and Southeast geo-political zones.
The ex-Niger Delta warlord believed it was unfair that
the majority ethnic groups were emasculating the minorities. But Eradiri said
the NDPVF founder was an individual like any other Nigerian, who had a right to
his views.
He said, “Well, Alhaji Dokubo-Asari is an individual,
who has a right to his views. Being a leader in the Niger-Delta, he may be
saying things based on the way he sees it. The fact that we have also taken a
decision does not mean that other structures or individuals will not make one
or two comments as a result of immediate reactions to the way the Presidential
election went.
“But the institution that leads the organisation, we,
the youths of Niger Delta, have made our position. Every other person may look
at it in his or her own way, but we have decided to look at Buhari's
administration and see how it will go and we will know the steps to take.
“We don't have any plan for violence and returning to
the creeks. Ijaw and Niger Delta youths should be calm, peaceful and maintain
the existing peace in the Niger Delta region.”
0 comments