A coalition of Clan Vice Chairmen of the Ijaw Youth Council, in collaboration with the Eminent Creek Youth Leaders, has announced its withdrawal from the nationwide protest.
The youths made this known during their visit to the popular environmentalist and human rights activist, Comrade Morris Alagoa, at his office in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
In his remarks, the leader of the group, Bestman Samuel Ivinbeke, revealed that the withdrawal became necessary following the hijacking of the protest by alleged hoodlums engaging in theft and destruction of property.
He stated that the group heeded to the call by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dennis Otuaro, for youths of the region to give peace a chance and hence shelve the protest.
He argued that the protest, which he claims has been hijacked by selfish Niger Delta leaders, will lead to crisis and more hunger.
“We, as youth groups in the Niger Delta region, aim to advocate for peace and stable development in the region. We will no longer continue to be part of this planned protest by selfish politicians and people who do not mean well for our people,” he said.
The group thanked Government Oweizidei Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and HRH Dr. Selky Kile Torughedi, alias Gen. Young Shall Grow, for maintaining peace and order in the Niger Delta.
Reacting, Alagoa, who thanked the group for honouring him with their visit, urged protesters in the country to be peaceful.
He averred that the protest should not be used as an avenue to deny others their rights.
According to him, “As a human rights activist, I will never support those who use protest as an avenue to harm fellow citizens.”
Alagoa advised youths in the region to desist from writing petitions and calling for replacement of Public office holders; as has been the case with PAP and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over the years.
The activist beckoned on the leadership of the PAP to ensure that the original plan of the facility looted and vandalised in 2019 at Boro Town, Kaiama is realised in the general interest of the region and country.
Speaking on the economic hardship occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal, he called on President Bola Tinubu to “apologize to former President Goodluck Jonathan for criticizing him when he removed the subsidy in 2012.
“Tinubu protested against the fuel subsidy removal and called Jonathan all sorts of names. He needs to apologize.”
Meanwhile, the youths, at the meeting, also passed a vote of confidence on Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
They commended Otuaro for his track record and commitment to change the narrative of the Amnesty Programme.
The group’s spokesman eulogized Otuaro for his efforts in correcting the abnormalities in the PAP, including the training and reintegration of delegates through formal education, vocational training, and empowerment.
Ivinbeke advised youth leaders and stakeholders in the Niger Delta to abandon the idea of writing petitions against the PAP administrator, noting that such acts will drag the region backward.
