- IYC: Clark is Our Father, We ‘ll Rally Round Him
By Abiola Olawale
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), the umbrella body of youths of Ijaw extraction, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately Sack the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri over alleged incompetence.
This call was made by the President of the IYC, Dr. Alaye Theophilus, while addressing the press.
According to Theophilus, Lokpobiri has shown gross incompetence and should be fired immediately to help save the country from the current fuel crisis occasioned by sheer incompetence.
Theophilus expressed disappointment at the minister’s performance, stating that the IYC cannot support him.
He said: “What we are saying is that if the minister is incompetent which he has shown to the general public, the IYC cannot say he should remain in office. He has shown gross incompetence.”
Theophilus also demanded the sack of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.
According to him, the handling of the petroleum industry by Kyari and Lokpobiri fell short of required standard.
He added that the alleged incompetence of Kyari and Lokpobiri has led to the increased hardship of Nigerians especially in the Niger Delta areas.
He continued: “Anything that is happening in the oil sector- Mele Kyari and the petroleum minister are the people giving Mr. President the immediate and necessary advice and report card.
“We are telling Mr. President that Mele Kyari has failed, his selective approach to things have really caused Nigeria more hardship particularly our people in Nigeria Delta.”
He revealed that the IYC would be embarking on a planned protest after consultation with primary stake holders and the planned protests will last for nothing less than 14 days.
“As a people that respect hierarchy we believe that before we would carry out another protest which I believe will be more than 14 days, but the minimum we are programming is 14 days where we are going to register our displeasure,” he said.
“We have decided to carry out a comprehensive and all- inclusive consultation with our stakeholders like our father Pa EK Clark where we are going to rally around him and after our due consultation, we are going to declare our protest open.”
