We won’t return to militancy, IYC replies Dokubo-Asari

The Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) on Thursday distanced itself from the threats by an ex-militant leader, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, that Niger Delta militants might return to the creeks to protest against the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election.

IYC, however, said it would cooperate with and closely monitor the incoming administration of Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.) to “see their(its) dance steps.”

The President of IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, made the clarifications in Abuja after reading a communique issued at the end of its meeting held at Tuomo community in Delta State to review the outcome of the March 28, 2015 Presidential election.

He also expressed sadness over what he described as the deliberate efforts by the core North and a section of the South-West “to frustrate the administration of Jonathan and force him out of power through false media propaganda and insurgency in the North in connivance with some foreign countries.”

Eradiri accused the unnamed foreign countries of displaying “obvious bias during the electoral process.”

He added, “The Ijaw nation, satisfied with the performance and conduct of President Jonathan in office, will warmly welcome him back home from national service.”

Dokubo-Asari, leader of Niger-Delta Peoples Volunteers Force, had in a statement by his spokesperson, Mr. Rex Anighoro, said the voting pattern showed that the South-West and the North “ganged up” against the South-South and South-East geo-political zones.

The ex-Niger Delta warlord believed it was unfair that the minorities were being emasculated by the majority ethnic groups.

But Eradiri said the NDPVF founder was an individual like any other Nigerian, who had a right to his views.

He said, “Well, Alhaji Dokubo-Asari is an individual, who has a right to his views. Being a leader in the Niger-Delta, he may be saying things based on the way he sees it. The fact that we have also taken a decision does not mean that other structures or individuals will not make one or two comments as a result of immediate reactions to the way the Presidential election went.

“But the institution that leads the organisation, we, the youths of Niger Delta, have made our position. Every other person may look at it in their own way, but we have decided to look at Buhari’s administration and see how it will go and we will know the steps to take.

“We don’t have any plan for violence and returning to the creeks. Ijaw and Niger Delta youths should be calm, peaceful and maintain the existing peace in the Niger Delta region.”