Amnesty Programme: IYC condemns presidency turning affairs to Northern agenda

By Ebi Perekeme 

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has sadi that the plan by the National Security Adviser (NSA) to constitute interim management committee instead of appointing the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) would be resisted by the Ijaw youths.

A statement on March 1, by Pereotubo Oweilaemi, Esq., President, IYC worldwide, and made available to GbaramatuVoice, said the NSA should rescind the idea of appointing interim management committee, as IYC will not accept it.

“We heard that the following persons are to be appointed as members of the interim committee to coordinate the affairs of the Programme. Viz: (1) Mr. A. A. Lawal- Chairman. (2) Col. Udoma- Secretary. (3) Mr. Anthony S. A. (Legal)- Member 4. Brig-Gen Mohammed- Director of Finance and Administration together with one other person representing the SGF,” the statement read.

The statement continued, “The PAP is not a northern affairs. This programme is the reason why the oil sector is experiencing peace. President Buhari should advice the NSA to disband that devious committee.

“We will revolt against it. Niger Delta region will not have peace especially the oil platforms should the FG go shead with this so-called committee.

“We sensed that the NSA, SGF and some powerful forces in the presidency are clandestinely making moves to hijack the Amnesty Programme.

“We will resist it even with the last drop of our blood. IYC will short down the oil sector if Buhari allows these desperate elements in the presidency to hijack the Amnesty Programme like what they’re doing to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the NDDC.

“Our demand is that Mr. President should for the sake of peace in the oil sector appoint a coordinator immediately from among competent Ijaw people.

“We are watching the fold of events as we will not hesitate to shut down all the oil platforms in Ijaw lands. Do not blame us should there be break down of law and order in the region.”

The group said that the Buhari government seemed to be on a mission to provoke Niger Deltans.

‘Buhari’s government is provoking the Ijaw people to anger. We will not accept the government turning the Amnesty Programme as a northern affairs in order to pay political followers. This is the height of provocation.

“We will not allow cabals in the government to take away the Programme from us. That’s an invitation to anarchy. Definitely, the boys will go back to the creeks. We hope that President Buhari will treat this message as a warning as the consequences of the NSA’s action will be catastrophic to the nation’s mono-economic,” the statement added.