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Endorse Tinubu, Fubara for 2027 elections
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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Niger Delta youths under the auspices of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide have issued a final 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and all relevant agencies to immediately commence full-scale remediation and clean-up of all crude oil-polluted Ijaw territories.
The youths categorically threatened that upon the expiration of the ultimatum, they will collectively and decisively shut down all oil and gas facilities operating within Ijaw territories if there is no visible and concrete action.
They further warned that Ijaw nationalities would no longer tolerate the destruction of their land, waters, livelihoods and future.
The council, however, passed a vote of confidence in and endorsed Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State to re-contest for a second tenure in the 2027 general election, extending the endorsement to President Bola Tinubu.
The council made its decisions known in a communique signed by its President, Dr Alaye Theophilus, on Sunday after its National Convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The communique stated: “The Convention unequivocally condemned the continued ecological violence, oil pollution, and environmental degradation inflicted on Ijaw territories through decades of reckless oil and gas exploitation.
“The Ijaw Youth Council hereby issues a final and non-negotiable 60 days ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria and all relevant agencies to immediately commence full-scale remediation and clean-up of all polluted Ijaw territories.
“This Convention makes it abundantly clear that the Ijaw people will no longer tolerate the destruction of their land, waters, livelihoods, and future.
“Upon the expiration of this ultimatum, and in the absence of visible and concrete action, the Ijaw Youth Council shall collectively and decisively shut down all oil and gas facilities operating within Ijaw territories, drawing precedence from the Ogoniland no remediation, no oil and gas exploration and exploitation approach.
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“Accordingly, the National President of the Ijaw Youth Council announced the constitution of a mobilisation and sensitisation committee mandated to visit all Ijaw territories, clans, and communities to educate, organise, and prepare the people for a coordinated and total shutdown of oil and gas operations should the Federal Government fail to act,” the youths emphasised in the communique.
The IYC further stressed that Ijaw resources can no longer be extracted from Ijaw land at the expense of Ijaw lives.
They stated that while it appreciates the work carried out in Ogoniland, it, however, noted without equivocation that: “it holds no grudges against any tribe in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large for what they benefit from the federal government based on what they contribute.”
The Ijaw youth body, therefore, urged the Federal Government to, with immediate effect, sack the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarin Zabbey, who, it alleged, has shown that he lacks understanding of the mandate given to him and the essence of the establishment of HYPREP.
“We also call on the federal government to also relieve the appointment of the Minister of Environment, who is the supervising minister of the HYPREP activities,” it demanded.
While endorsing Governor Fubara and President Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 elections, the communique noted: “Through a resounding voice affirmation, the Convention unanimously passed a vote of confidence and endorsement on Governor Fubara, and President Tinubu, for second tenure for the 2027 general election.
“This position was taken in recognition of the leadership qualities the governor has shown over time, the governor’s commitment to a peaceful Rivers State for sustainable economic growth and development cannot be overemphasized.
“The maturity he displayed when faced with challenges shows that he is well prepared for leadership. The Governor as of today is living hero of democracy, an ambassador of peace, and a detribalized leader per excellence.
“While Mr President on his own part has won the heart of the Ijaw Youths, hence our declaration of total support of his re-election bid 2027 is solely on his show of genuine love and commitment in making sure that there is peace in Rivers State in order for our governor, Fubara to govern Rivers people in peace.
“Mr president has told us why he should be trusted and we have seen it with the way he managed the Rivers State political impasse. Mr President has given us reasons the Ijaw youths should support his re-election bid and we have seen reasons with him. Hence, the Ijaw youths hereby declare our unalloyed support for Mr President come 2027,” the communique read.
