The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has its people running out of patience and can no longer pacify them following the declaration of a State of emergency in Rivers state.
To this end, the council called for immediate restoration of conditional democracy in the state.
TheHintsNews reports that Tinubu had in March declared a state of emergency in Rivers following a protracted political crisis between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and his estranged political son, Fubara.
Checks revealed that Tinubu appointed Ibokette Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as Administrator to take charge of the affairs of the state for six months.
However, addressing a press conference on Thursday in Port Harcourt to mark the 57th Adaka Boro day celebration themed; ‘‘Ijaw Nation Strength: A Pathway for Unity and Solidarity’’, IYC President, Dr. Theophilus Alaye urged the President to restore executives’ powers of the people to Fubara.
While commending Tinubu for the peace process he initiated, Alaye said as believers of democracy, they want a speedy restoration of Rivers back to the government of the people.
He was of the opinion that the people of the state deserve lawful governance that would give the people the needed dividend of democracy and continuity of people-oriented development.
Alaye stated: “We appeal to Your Excellency to please restore full democratic governance in the state by restoring executives’ powers of the people’s governor, His Excellency Sir, Sim Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, and the State House of Assembly.
“Mr President Sir, you are a true democrat and your intention for Rivers people is genuine. However, removing our governor is not the step the people of Rivers state expected from a true democrat like you and as such the people of Rivers state are still in shock.
“You know the majority of our people are an emotional group of people and we can not pacify them for too long in respect to the situation here in Rivers state and we are running out of patience as the people can not sit and watch an unknown entity unknown to our constitutional democracy occupy our government house.”
Alaye also requested an increase in the annual budget allocation to the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to ensure its objectives are fully achieved.
He noted that while the PAP has been instrumental in sustaining peace and rehabilitating ex-agitators across the Niger Delta, the current funding level is inadequate to meet the growing demands of reintegration, educational training, and empowerment of beneficiaries.
Alaye also appealed to the President for a new window to absorb more agitators in the Niger Delta region particularly the Ijaw nationality into the PAP.
This, he said, would enable them eradicate the few pocket of arm agitators left in the region from our creeks
Alaye further called for the removal of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
According to him, This will enable the NDDC to initiate and deliver more impactful signature projects that will directly benefit our oil-producing communities.