ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, YENAGOA
Ijaw youths under the aegis of #Occupy NIGER DELTA have vowed to commence peaceful shutdown of the region from Wednesday, May 26, over the alleged failure of the Federal Government to constitute a substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The group in a statement on Sunday by its Coordinator, Denges Akpi, however, appealed to the security agencies not to allow themselves to be used as political pawns to achieve a selfish agenda as the youths are determined to carry out their threat.
Akpi noted that Ijaw youths were aware of the alleged life-threatening dispositions of some greedy persons to maim or kill the President of Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr Peter Igbifa, by planning to organise hoodlums to disrupt the showdown so that the planned shutdown would fail.
He warned that any political manipulation to interrupt the planned shutdown would only spark avoidable crisis in the region.
Akpi said: “We warn sternly that any attempt on the life of IYC boss, Comrade Peter Igbifa, is an attempt to start an avoidable war in a region that feeds the nation.
“We also appeal to security agencies not to avail themselves to be used as political pawns to achieve a selfish agenda as #Occupy Niger Delta commences its protest on May 26 (this month).”
He also said that political jobbers at the NDDC had been a major setback in the development of the region and called on the security agencies to be professional enough not to repeat the feat of the #EndSARS protest.
Also, a frontline member of the group, Comrade Osubu Tuboebi, noted that the peaceful shutdown procession across the Niger Delta is to express their displeasures over the continuous procrastination on inauguration of substantive NDDC board.
He equally urged the security agencies not allow themselves to be used as destructive agents to militarise and cause unnecessary tension in the region.
He asserted: “We are aware that security agents have been heavily paid to disrupt the planned shutdown of the region from 26th of this month.
“They should know that international bodies are watching as things unfold in the region. We have no intention to break law and order during the shutdown proceedings and we will occupy the region until the NDDC’s board is inaugurated.
“The plot to kill the President of the prestigious IYC due to his stand on issues of the NDDC has taken centrestage in recent history.
“However, Comrade Peter Igbifa’s miraculous escape from death is a proof that God approves of his position for the Federal Government to constitute the substantive NDDC board or face a total shutdown of the region.
“We also want to warn the international oil companies (IOCs) to place the safety of their workers as top priority, especially as it affects food and drugs supplies. We have advised them to evacuate earlier.
“We also advise members of the group to stay focused and peaceful throughout the shutdown.”