The Ijaw Youth Council Eastern Zone Task Force has slammed some youths under the aegis of The Concerned Youths of Akwa Ibom, numbering over 1,000 who reportedly barricaded the Ikot Abasi-Port Harcourt portion of the East-West road thereby disrupting free flow of traffic in and out of Rivers State.

Their aim, it was alleged, was to get the attention of President Buhari and request the replacement of the late Executive Director of Finance (EDFA) of NDDC, Mr. Ibanga Etang, an Akwa Ibom indigene who recently died allegedly from COVID-19; with another person form Akwa Ibom State.

“We see this as an insult to the Ijaws and good people of Rivers State. There was never a zoning arrangement for the IMC. You may recall that Dr Joy Nunieh, a Rivers State indigene, was replaced with someone from Bayelsa State. When that happened, no one called for any zoning pattern. “The IMC, even though it is not known to law, is a temporary body with a clear mandate. Nobody should bring politics into their existence” The Ijaw Youth Council Eastern Zone Task Force stated in a statement made available to the fourth estate of the realm.

Part of the statement reads: “One thing our brothers fail to realize is that the NDDC is a direct benefit of the agitation of Ijaw sons and daughters. Our brothers died; our sisters were raped all to fight for the benefit of the Niger Delta. No one from Akwa Ibom State took part in the agitation. Coming out now to claim right over any position is not just an insult to the Ijaws, but a slap to our brothers and sisters who died during the struggle.

“We remain calm because we know the move by these youths has a political undertone and was definitely sponsored by someone who is eying the position. But we want to use this medium to warn anyone who may try to attempt any such protest again. Anyone who claims any right over a position, produced by the Ijaw struggle would face our wrath. If such a protest is repeated, we will not only rise up and remind the country that we Ijaws stand for equity and truth; we will deal decisively with anyone who challenges our resolve.

“We call on Mr. President to disregard those hungry youths and choose a competent hand to replace the late EDFA. The Ijaws have a better right over any position in the NDDC but we leave the decision to Mr. President and the Supervising Minister.”

Update news