North, South-west trying to take over Niger-Delta Oil Wealth – Ijaw Youth

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has said that there was a deliberate attempt by politicians in the northern part of the country and some leaders from the South-west zone to take over control of the oil wealth from the Niger-Delta region, which was why they forced President Jonathan out of office.

President of IYC, Comrade Udengs Eradiri, said in a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja that events which led to the 2015 presidential elections exposed the fact that President Jonathan was deliberately rigged out
of the election following the desperate scheming to enable the north and southwest control the oil wealth from the Niger-Delta region.

“We note with sadness the deliberate efforts by the core north and a section of the southwest to frustrate the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and force him out of power though false media
propaganda and insurgency in the north, with connivance with some foreign countries who displayed The desperate scheming by the core north and southwestern part of the country to take back power is to
enable them have access to the oil resource of the Niger-Delta,” he stated.

The group however advised the incoming administration to commence the process of national integration and run an all-inclusive government so as to address the polarization and disunity which arose from the
presidential elections.

IYC also urged the APC government to maintain the Presidential Amnesty program for ex-Agitators in the Niger-Delta region which has greatly contributed to the sustenance of peace in the Niger-Delta region.

“The outcome of the presidential election has further polarized the Nigerian state into regional and ethnic lines, hence there is nothing to celebrate in the victory.

Recommendations of the National Confab should be implemented by the incoming government to deepen our federal system of government where the federating units would develop at their own pace. This would address some of the imbalances responsible for political instability in Nigeria and the desperation to control
government at the center,” he added.

He however urged  the Niger-Delta youths should be calm, peaceful and maintain the existing peace in the Niger-Delta region, as the Ijaw nation would observe steps of the incoming government before taking a position

He said the Ijaw nation was satisfied with the performance of the incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan, and that it would welcome the president in a grand reception.

IYC also advised the President-elect, Muhammodu to tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians having not conceded defeat in the past elections where he failed.

The group expressed regret that General Muhammodu Buhari (rtd) refused to congratulate those  to. whom he lost elections in 2003, 2007 and the 2011.

“Congress notes the goodwill and felicitations of President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians in general towards General Buhari’s victory, but note with sadness that Buhari refused congratulate the victors in 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections when he contested and failed,” it said.