Former Secretary-General of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Udengs Eradiri, has stated that youths from the Niger Delta region will not take up arms if Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is not allowed a second term in office, saying the President’s track record will give him the ticket.
The Ijaw Youth Council – an umbrella body of all youths of Ijaw nationality in the country – is believed to wield some political influence in the South-South geo-political zone, especially the Niger Delta region. The group has scheduled its national election next week.
According to Eradiri, though Ijaw youths have resolved to reach out to progressive youths from other regions, including the North and the South-west, the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan will depend largely on his performance in the last few years in spite of challenging security situation in the face of the contributions by the South-south to the existence of the country in terms of oil wealth.
The former IYC scribe, who is also aspiring to become the President of the Ijaw Youth Council in the forth coming National Convention in Yenagoa, said the issue of arms and violent struggle by the Ijaw youths will not arise as common sense will prevail among the opposing camps, and the huge support-base of President Goodluck Jonathan around the country.
According to him: “In the political and economic spaces of the country, we were not given the opportunity to express ourselves. Today, we don’t even believe that it is Goodluck Jonathan we are talking about, but the seat of the President which was part of our agitation. We said Nigeria was not giving us the political space and we wanted it. This is part of why we are agitating including the Kaima declaration. Now we have gotten the Presidency. And with the culture in Nigeria that if you have four years, you will get the second tenure, it is customary that the IYC protects the seat of Presidency and get the second tenure that is due it.
“It is not only about Goodluck Jonathan but the right of the South-south to the seat. We are saying that we have sustained the country for too long, and if we are not given the opportunity, it will be an abnormality. Unfortunately, they have not even allowed him (to) enjoy the first term. But we must commend the President that, in spite of the Boko Haram insurgency and incessant opposition attacks, he maintained his focus on development. It is not about being used by the politicians but the belief in the truth about the seat of Presidency. We are not impressing it on anyone that we have the belief. We will create a consciousness in Nigerians that the Presidency and Jonathan should be guarded and protected.
“Let me give kudos to President Goodluck Jonathan. It is because of President Goodluck Jonathan that this country has oil to share in the first place. Prior to Goodluck being President, oil production was 700,000 barrels (per day). When Goodluck took over as President, the production increased. Therefore, Goodluck Jonathan being President is the only reason Nigeria is surviving today. If Nigeria is surviving through oil, it is because of Goodluck Jonathan. I think that Nigerians must respect that. Let the power go round. As Ijaw Youth Council, we do not believe that the Presidency we fought for must not be a benefit for all.”
On the rising cases of crude oil theft and illegal bunkering in the region, Eradiri attributed it to failed security and political systems in the country, which he however said can be corrected with a robust youth consciousness and leadership.
“We have to agree that the cause of high rate of kidnapping is due to the failed system. There are certain things a state or country should provide for the citizens, and there are a lot of people who think that the fastest way is to take short-cut. And until there is an alternative laid out clearly, it will be difficult to curb this menace. The ones who have said they would not go and kidnap, they are busy doing bunkering; big time bunkering that is worse than even kidnapping.”
The youth leader, who also called for a Sovereign National Conference, regreted that the country is losing much money while the Niger Delta environment is being destroyed. He also enjoined the illegal oil refiners to desist from acts of sabotage, which he said is detrimental to even the oil thieves themselves.
“Health-wise, they are even killing themselves. We are saying that some of the laws of this country have not favoured Nigerians as it should. And if you have been doing something for like 50 years and it is not working, it is only common sense that you should leave it. Hostage-taking, sea piracy, armed robbery, cultism are all indicators of a failed system. It is the right time to call for a Sovereign National Conference to find solution,” he said.
Source: MyDailyNews