Ijaw youths under the auspices of Defender of Izon Nation (DIN) has told the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to jettison the idea of using Governor Nyisom Wike of Rivers State to conduct Bayelsa gubernatorial primaries.

The DIN, an Ijaw pressure group comprising militants and non-militants known in the creeks as Mangroove Boys in a statement issued in Yenagoa on Sunday said it will resist Wike as returning officer of the Sept 3 primaries of PDP.

According to the statement signed by the spokesperson of the group, Omuwari Godspower, the participation of Rivers Governor in the primaries would lead to unpleasant consequences as the Ijaws are aggrieved with Wike’s neglect of Ijaws in Rivers.

DIN alleged that Wike was oppressing the Ijaws in Rivers since he came to power as Ijaw sons and daughters have been denied juicy appointments and portfolio to enable them empower their followers and supporters

DIN said that Wike denied Ijaw people who sacrificed their resources, time, intellect and lives for his first and second tenure reelections of infrastructural developments.

They claimed that no meaning projects were sited in the riverine communities in the state where Ijaws predominantly reside.

The youth group that Wike, who marginalised Ijaws as minorities should not preside over their affairs in a state like Bayelsa where Ijaws are in the majority.

“Ijaw People have suffered greatly under Gov Wike administrations, hence, such a fellow cannot be a credible umpire.

“What the people of Bayelsa and Ijaw people want is a level playing field for all aspirants who seek to govern the state in all the political parties to test their popularity in a conducive atmosphere.

“This is not limited to the People Democratic Party (PDP) alone, the All Progressives Congress, Labour Party and other political parties as well should conduct credible primaries.

Recall in 2015 APC Primaries when a candidate was perceived to have the nod of the party’s National Executives, the will of the people prevailed. Politics should be grassroots focused or local not based national connection.

“We Ijaws cannot afford to continue in our mistakes. While we reiterate that internal democracy is core prerequisite to a non-violence, free, fair and credible general elections.

“We equally enjoin political players and actors to play clean and in accordance with INEC rules and regulations in the upcoming November 16 elections.

“We wish to state categorically clear that the Mangrove Boys will disrupt the primaries if Wike is not removed and if the primaries is held anywhere outside Yenagoa.

“Also, any candidate that emerge under such questionable process will be resisted by Bayelsa people.

“It is public knowledge that Governor Wike has anointed a candidate and as such cannot be fair to others. Let’s not cause chaotic climate when it can be avoided,” DIN stated.

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