The Ijaw Youth Council has expressed worry over what it describes as an act of aggression allegedly targeted at the Ijaw people following Warri ward delineation in Delta State.
Its President, Dr. Theophilus Alaye in a statement issued Friday said that these unfortunate incidents followed the lawful ward delineation exercise carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive.
The move, he said, was aimed at correcting decades of marginalisation.
The President pointed out that INEC’s delineation reflects a constitutional process aimed at ensuring fairness and balanced political representation.
He said no ethnic group holds exclusive entitlement to political control in a multiethnic region like Warri, insisting that all groups must be respected and represented.
Alaye noted: “ The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide is deeply concerned by the recent upsurge in tensions and violence reportedly instigated by elements within the Itsekiri community against Ijaw residents of Warri.
“These unfortunate incidents follow the lawful ward delineation exercise carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive—a move aimed at correcting decades of marginalisation.
“In addition to these troubling acts of aggression, the IYC strongly condemns the campaign of blackmail and misinformation being waged against prominent Ijaw sons, particularly Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.”
The Council added that Otuaro has demonstrated consistent commitment to fostering peace, unity, and stability in the Niger Delta region.
Alaye emphasised that the PAP administrator has been promoting peace, dialogue and sustaining community development cannot be overstated.
He noted: “We warn that attempts to tarnish his reputation through falsehoods and divisive rhetoric will not be tolerated.”
The Ijaw youth stressed that rather than sow discord, Itsekiri youths and stakeholders should channel their grievances through lawful and democratic institutions.
Alaye maintained that resorting to blackmail only serves to undermine regional peace and development.
To this end, the Ijaw youth called on security agencies to ensure the safety of their communities and investigate all acts of violence and incitement, stressing that nobody has the monopoly of violence.
The Ijaw said no force of intimidation or campaign of calumny would deter the Ijaw Nation from pursuing justice and equity within the Nigerian federation.