The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has warned the Federal Government to disband the newly appointed interim committee of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) or brace up for a revolt by Ijaw youths across the length and breadth of the Niger Delta.
“The plan by the National Security Adviser (NSA) to constitute an interim management committee instead of appointing the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) will be resisted by the Ijaw youths.
“The NSA should rescind the idea of appointing interim management committee. IYC will not accept it,” says president of IYC, Pereotubo Oweilaemi, Esq., in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State.
The threat of IYC, according to the leader of the Ijaw youths, is hinged on the reports that non-Ijaws have been pencilled in for the committee.
“We heard that the following persons are to be appointed as members of the interim committee to coordinate the affairs of the Programme. Viz: Mr A. A. Lawal, Chairman; Col. Udoma, Secretary; Mr Anthony S. A. (Legal), Member; Brig-Gen Mohammed, Director of Finance and Administration; together with one other person representing the SGF.
“The PAP is not a northern affair. This programme is the reason why the oil sector is experiencing peace,” the youth leader disclosed.
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He admonished President Muhammed Buhari to render some pieces of advice to the National Security Adviser with a view to dissolving “that devious committee.”
“We will revolt against it. Niger Delta region will not have peace especially the oil platforms should the FG go ahead with this so-called committee.
“We sensed that the NSA, the SGF and some powerful forces in the presidency are clandestinely making moves to hijack the Amnesty Programme.
“We will resist it even with the last drop of our blood. IYC will shut down the oil sector if Buhari allows these desperate elements in the presidency to hijack the Amnesty Programme like what they’re doing to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the NDDC.
“Our demand is that Mr President should, for the sake of peace in the oil sector, appoint a coordinator immediately from among competent Ijaw people.
“We are watching the unfolding of events as we will not hesitate to shut down all the oil platforms in Ijaw lands.
“Do not blame us should there be a breakdown of law and order in the region.
“Buhari’s government is provoking the Ijaw people to anger. We will not accept the government turn the Amnesty Programme to a northern affair in order to pay political followers. This is the height of provocation.
“We will not allow cabals in the Government to take away the Programme from us. That’s an invitation to anarchy. Definitely, the boys will go back to the creeks.
“We hope that President Buhari will treat this message as a warning as the consequences of the NSA’s action will be catastrophic to the nation’s mono-economic,” Oweilaemi, Esq., warned.