- Berates El-Rufai For Failing To Arrest Erring Arewa Youths Despite Promise
- Wants Cancellation Of Licences For Modular Refinery
By John Oghojafor
The Ijaw National Congress (IYC) has urged Igbo people in Northern part of the country, to defend themselves in case they are being attacked after the expiration of the ultimatum given to them by groups of the Northern Youths on the 1st of October, 2017.
Speaking with journalists in Warri recently, the IYC President Worldwide, Barrister Wilale Borutu, expressed sadness over the Northern Youths threat on Ndigbo residing in northern parts of the country, stressing that by this action, “There is nothing like one Nigeria. It is unfortunate that those who are supposed to be leaders of tomorrow can issue quit notice to their fellow Nigerians. We have lived together and inter-married. Northerners are in South-West, South-South and South-East. Their action is tantamount to treasonable felony.”
He added that the youths were backed by the elders since their silence meant consent. But when reminded that Governor El Rufai of Kaduna State has ordered the police to arrest leaders of the youths, he said that it was one thing to order the arrest of the youths and another for it to be carried out.
“How many persons have been arrested and prosecuted? To the best of my knowledge nobody has been arrested! What are the police waiting for? The Igbos are very industrious and enterprising people, they should be free to live in any part of the country including the North. In case anybody attacks you, be prepared to defend yourselves and not to come back home. If anybody slaps you retaliate immediately”, Borutu counseled.
He expressed support for the ex-militants’ June 30, 2017 ultimatum to the Northerners having Oil Blocks in the Niger Delta, adding that they should be prepared to forfeit them. He added that their ultimatum was based on the provocation by the Northern Youths quit notice, saying that since the inception of Nigeria it was the Oil from the Niger Delta Region that has been surviving the country yet the people are living in abject poverty. “What we have is crumb no oil blocks”, he thundered.
The IYC, President called for the outright cancellation of the licences given to 56 companies to build Modular Refinery in the Niger Delta Region since none of the companies is owned by a Niger Deltan .”We will continue to call for the cancellation of the exercise because it is not in the interest of our people. This is another oppression from the Federal Government”, he observed.
The number one Ijaw Youth leader said the Ijaws were still consulting among themselves, adding that at the appropriate time they will come with their position on the inclusion of Ijaws in the Biafran project.
According to him, both the Ijaws and the Igbos are stakeholders in their various struggles, noting that the Ijaws’ struggle predates that of the Biafrans.
“If we choose to go the way of the Biafrans, we will agree on certain terms and conditions. The Ijaw youths leadership IYC will also make its position known to the public very soon”, he stressed.
Borutu also disclosed that he was also reaching out to the presidents of Urhobo, Itsekiri and Isoko youths on the inclusion of these ethnic groups in the proposed Biafra, pointing out that “at the appropriate time, we are going to make our position public, we are working in synergy.”
While extending hands of fellowship to his opponents to join in the struggle rather than fighting him, he said that he has put whatever happened behind him. He explained in details how it all began and how the Chief Joshua Fomudoh and Ambassador Ikale Ebolade Committee after hearing from him and his opponents in the presence of Chief E.K Clark, he brokered a peace accord which was fully backed by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson where the entire Ijaw nation gathered and after the findings of the committee and his report presented to the entire Ijaw nation.
“In their wisdom they concluded and declared me as the duly elected president of Ijaw youths worldwide and recognized my executive. It wasn’t my making, Ijaw people voted for me at Okirika, some people protested, a committee was set up and they did their findings and said that myself and my executive were duly elected by the Ijaw people”, he explained.
He disclosed that he has commissioned some elders to talk to his opponents to sheath their sword since they have a lot of external battle to fight rather than fighting themselves.
