BREAKING: IJAW FORMER MILITANT LEADERS TO DECIDE ON URHOBO 14 DAYS ULTIMATUM TOMORROW

• Says we are running out of patience as there is a limit to everything

• Moves trying to resolve impasse should not be seen as a sign of weakness

• Says we have had a long standing relationship

PORTHARCOURT-A coalition of former ex militant leaders drawn across Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Ondo in the Niger Delta Region have alleged to take a decision on the lingering impasse between the Ijaws and Urhobos tomorrow.

This was contained in a joint Press statement signed by Gen. Kemepade James, Delta. Gen. Famugben Weneboke, Bayelsa. Gen. Suru Opia, Edo. Gen. Kelly Owei, Rivers and Gen. Ebila Tinkoromo, Ondo today.

The group also warned that alleged peaceful moves by the Ijaws to resolve the impasse should not be seem as a sign of weakness, stressing that they can’t fold their hands when things are seemingly taking different dimension.

Speaking on the relationship between the two tribes, the former Ijaw militant leaders maintains that they have had a long standing relationship with the Urhobos while emphasizing that the Aladja, Isaba and Ogbe-Ijoh boundary issue should not throw both ethnic groups into another round of ethnic crises.

In their words: “We should not because of a solvable problem between Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba and the Aladja Urhobos to involve both tribes for ethnic conflict.” The ex militant leaders stated.

The group, however, commended Ijaws for packing out of Udu Local Government Area as they vows to protect Ijaws from what they described intimidation under any guise.

Speaking further, the former warlords have alleged to communicate their position on the impasse after its Friday’s meeting.

The statement read “Our attention have been drawn to the 14 days ultimatum issued to the Ijaws living in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State to vacate or face its wrath by the UPU Chairman Comr. Sunday Subi of the youth wing, Udu Chapter.

“As former warlords in the Niger Delta and from the Ijaw extraction, we cannot continue to fold our hands when things are seemingly taking different dimension.

“It would be recalled that since the ultimatum was issued, the Urhobo leadership both the youth wing and the elders have not taken any urgent and responsible steps to stern to tide.” The groups frowns.

It added “We are also aware that the Ijaws are massively packing out of Udu Local Government Area with Comr. Subi and his people still insisting that Ijaws should vacate its land. Series of meetings have been held as it has continually remained deadlock.

“It is so saddening to note that while we as former militant leaders, agitated for the collective emancipation of the entire Niger Delta region, the Urhobos are trying to challenge Ijaws for conflict.

“We will be quick to state that, the two ethnic groups have a long standing relationship, hence we should not because of a solvable problem between Ijaws of Ogbe-Ijoh, Isaba and the Aladja Urhobos to involve both tribes for ethnic conflict.

“As far as we are concerned, we have both intermingled so greatly that we have become one, Ijaws right from the day, the ultimatum was issued have been on the begging end. A point must be made that there is a limit to everything.

“We are running out of patience, our moves in trying to resolve the lingering imbroglio should not be seen as a sign of weakness or laziness.

“Our people are doing well by massively packing out of Udu, in other to set the records straight, the Urhobos have made their position known to the World through its ULTIMATUM, against this backdrop, we want to also come out with our decision.

“It is inline with the enumerated issues that we the former warlords of Ijaw drawn from Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Ondo wishes to take the step to protect our people no matter what, hence there is going to be a meeting of Ijaw ex militant generals on Friday the 24th of November 2016 to take a resolution on this matter.

“We can’t be intimidated under any guise. We shall communicate our own position after our meeting.” It stated

Meanwhile, Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper learnt that Ijaws living in Udu area is facing an unprecedented gale of massive relocation with the continued insistence of the Urhobos to carry on the 14 days ultimatum. This have indeed created tension in Warri and its environs.

EMAIL @gbaramatuvoice@gmail.com
Twitter @gbaramatuvoice

Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region

Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!