Connect with us

Latest News

We Don’t Support Secessionist Agenda – Ijaw Leaders

Published

on

We Don't Support Secessionist Agenda - Ijaw Leaders

The Ijaw ethnic nationality is not in support of any Secessionist agenda either in part or full, the Ijaw National Congress (IJN) has declared.

But according to the IJN, the Ijaw people are prepared to legally and peacefully negotiate its exit from the Nigerian state like other aggrieved ethnic nationalities as a distinct Ijaw Republic if urgent steps are not taken to address the perceived imbalance and injustice inherent in the polity.

INC President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, who made the disclosure during a press conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital on Friday, argued that the Ijaw people would only accept a Nigeria where there is justice.

Okaba said: “The Ijaw nation, conscious of our desire to live in a country where our rights to live peacefully and apply our God-endowed talents and resources for our collective improvement and wellbeing, no longer feel safe to be part of a country where inequality, inequity and nepotism and impunity have become defining principles of governance.”

Okaba said if the violence unleashed on the country was not urgently and squarely checked by those with responsibility to do so, the end of Nigeria as a united nation might just be irredeemable.

READ ALSO: We’re Ready To Resume Continuous Voter Registration – INEC

He pointed out that the major reason for this situation was the heightened injustice and marginalisation of Nigerians, particularly of the minorities including the Ijaw ethnic nationality, a clear evidence he noted was the unacceptable story of the Federal Government spending over 15 years in constructing a yet to be completed major East-West Road that ferries petroleum products across the country.

“The Ijaws have become apprehensive and afraid of being part of an unworkable union. Having endured the unsavory treatments and crude exploitations over the years, and the noted resolve of the present-day leaders to continue their stranglehold on the Ijaw people through more obnoxious laws (the water resources bill sponsored by the Buhari administration) our faith in the Nigerian union has been grossly eroded,” he said.

“Rather than continue to sacrifice and carry the burdens of an unappreciative Nigeria nation, we wish to state without equivocation our resolve for self- determination, we are prepared to legally and peacefully negotiate our exit like other aggrieved ethnic nationalities but also as a distinct Ijaw Republic with ethno linguistic, cultural affinity and geographic contiguity and not in part or full of any other secessionist agenda.

“This address also serves as an advance notice to all Ijaw people, our neighbours, particularly in the Niger Delta region, others oppressed and deprived and the Nigerian State, preparatory to the convocation of an all Ijaw summit that will ultimately decide on the way forward in very specific terms.

READ ALSO: Ijaw Youths Vow To Continue Protest Over NDDC Board As Abducted President Is Released

“Our current resolve for self-determination and self-actualization can only be reversed if urgent steps are taken by the powers that be to urgently and sincerely address the minimum conditions precedent to guarantee the continuous commitment of the Ijaws to the Nigerian project.

“These include the restoration of true federalism under a new constitution enacted by the people wherein a lean exclusive legislative list is prescribed for the federal tier of government. The restoration of Ijaw territory as none- balkanized administrative and political federating unit(s) for reassurance of the Ijaw development pursuit.

“The repeal of all obnoxious and discriminatory laws and policies that have continuously undermined our fundamental human and environmental rights as indigenous people of Nigeria. The Ijaw land and the Niger Delta region is the only place in the entire world where oil and gas is produced but have remained impoverished, neglected and underdeveloped.”

The group warned that the Ijaw’s retreat from militancy to meaningful and constructive engagement should not be mistaken for cowardice.

 

Read more authentic news on our social media platforms

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Latest News

BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

Published

on

Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

Continue Reading

Latest News

Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

Published

on

BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

Continue Reading

Latest News

BREAKING: PDP Suspends Anyim, Fayose

Published

on

Anyim and Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former president of the Senate, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Aslam Aliyu were on Thursday suspended from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP made the suspension on Thursday after an extensive review of the affairs of the party, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

The PDP also referred the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time,” the statement added.

 

Continue Reading

Top Stories

%d bloggers like this: