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The Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide has disowned an alleged protest notice against the Niger Delta Development Commission.
The council also urged security agencies to arrest suspected impersonators who may attempt to use the name of the Ijaw youths to incite a crisis.
Specifically, the IYC cautioned one Theophilus Alaye not to tarnish the image of the highly revered Council by staging a purported peaceful protest at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt against the interests of the Ijaw people.
These details were contained in a press statement signed by the IYC spokesperson, Binebai Yerin Princewill, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State, on Monday.
“As a council, while we will continue to advocate for the growth, advancement, unity, and progress of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta at large, the Council will also not sit idly by and watch as people try to trample on the fragile peace that we have collectively fought to achieve,” the IYC stated.
It further said, “Any Ijaw person attempting to protest against Ogbuku NDDC is an enemy of the Ijaw nation and an enemy of progress and should therefore be treated as such.”
The statement continued, “It is only outsiders who would want to protest against the NDDC under Dr Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director (MD), a man who has shown and demonstrated clear commitment to redefining the NDDC for the betterment of the people. Any Ijaw person attempting to protest against Ogbuku’s NDDC is an enemy of the Ijaw nation and an enemy of progress and should be treated as such.”
“However, the IYC wouldn’t have responded if not for the fact that Theophilus used the sacred name of IYC, taking a position as if he were the President of the Council, and calling on the Council’s structures to mobilise for the said protest against the NDDC.”
“We are responding to correct the wrong impression created by Alaye before the public that the IYC is at war with the NDDC. The IYC is not staging any protest at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 14th November 2024. This misleading information, if not corrected, might be seen as the truth.”
It further urged the public to disregard Alaye’s statement, asserting that he is not in a position to speak on behalf of the IYC.
“While protest is a democratic right of citizens, we would have remained silent, but for Dr. Alaye to issue such a statement using the name of the IYC, when he is not in any position to do so, we feel compelled to clarify this matter to the general public. The IYC, as one united family, is solely under the leadership of Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr as President.”
“Nevertheless, we are calling on all structures of the Council, from all zones, chapters, parliaments, and clans, to keep clear of such an ill-conceived protest, as it is not in the interest of the IYC and the Ijaw people at this critical time, when many forces are working against us.”
“We assure the founding fathers of the Council, the leaders, organs of the Council, and all sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation that we will never renege on negotiating a better deal for our people.”
“Finally, while we completely disown the purported protest by Alaye and his group of imposters, we call on security agencies and the management of the NDDC to arrest anyone who dares to approach the NDDC premises on Thursday, 14th November 2024, to protest, as such notice of protest did not emanate from the IYC. It is the Council’s directive that such a group of miscreants should be dealt with by the law as impersonators and agents of retrogression.”
