By Deborah Coker
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) worldwide, has urged security agencies to avert breakdown of law in Ijaw land by thwarting planned protest by factional leadership of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
A statement in Abuja by Chief Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary, said it would be unfortunate if Department of State Security (DSS), the Police, Civil Defence Corps, among others allow the planned protest to hold.
Oyakemeagbegha said the INC was aware that some persons who claimed to be under the factional leadership of the IYC were planning a protest in Port Harcourt against the NDDC on Thursday.
“It has come to the knowledge of INC, the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ijaw nation, that some persons claiming to be under a factional leadership of IYC are planning a protest in Port Harcourt.
“The protest scheduled to hold on Thursday is against the NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission).
“We have also received credible intelligence concerning ongoing preparations by some other youth groups to violently stop the above-mentioned proposed protest.
“The INC is particularly concerned because of the recent IYC episode in Abuloma, Rivers that led to the senseless maiming and killing of some Ijaw Youths.
“There is no doubt that if this protest is not put off, it may amount to a repeat of the Abuloma incident’’, he warned.
Oyakemeagbegha said the leadership of INC will not fold its hands and watch while youths continue to kill themselves under any guise, saying the strength of any nation is the unity of its Youths.
“We therefore call on all security agencies to do the needful to avert any action that will undermine the relative peace that is being enjoyed in the region”, he said.
He further said that the INC’s position on the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) was unambiguous.
“The president of the 9th Executive Council of Ijaw Youth Council is Jonathean Lokpobiri (Snr), who was duly elected by the Congress of the Ijaw Youth Council and sworn in on the July 23, 2023.
“The INC recently constituted two committees to look into all misunderstandings in the IYC and until a contrary position is received from these committees, the position of the INC remains’’, he said.
He said though INC recognised the right to assemble, that right was not without limits.
“While we recognise the fundamental human rights of individuals and groups to peaceful assembly and protest, the INC, condemns the proposed protest, because of the obvious negative implications.
“We therefore urge all protesters to put off their planned actions in the interest of the Ijaw nation, while we commit ourselves to providing a platform for dialogue and constructive engagement,” he said.
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