MISSION TO RESTORE SANITY IN POLITICS IN THE NIGER DELTA

Press Release

The Pere of Oporomor Kingdom, HRM King Augustine Ebikeme, Pere Ekere IV, has called on the people of Bayelsa State to shun all acts of violence and intimidation in their pursuance of political relevance especially during elections. He made the call at his palace during a courtesy call by a delegation of Ijaw Youth leaders on Tuesday 30th July 2002.

 He pointed out that the guidance spirits of Ijaw land are not happy with those engaged in violence, and that such persons will surely be punished. He called on the youths not to allow politicians to use them for political thuggery, which in the long run will have a bandwagon effect on society.

The delegation, led by Felix Tuodolo [Emeritus President of the Ijaw Youth Council] and Sgt Weri Digifa [Chairman, Supreme Egbesu Assembly] informed the King that the visit was part of the group's mission to restore peace and sanctity in the polity, and wipe out thuggery during elections or similar activities in Ijawland.

While speaking, the Chairman of SEA, Sgt Weri Digifa briefed the Pere on all the recent killings in Nembe, Brass and destruction of properties in Yenagoa, Sagbama, Buguma, Burutu etc. He called on the Pere to continue to offer spiritual prayers to cleanse the land without which, it will be difficult to stop political thuggery. He also informed that there is a plan by the youth leadership, which will soon unfold, to blacklist any politician and/or political party that employs youths in Ijawland as thugs to inflict pain on fellow citizens; and any youth that allows himself/herself to be used as thug will be "spiritually stripped" of his identity as an ijaw youth. He accused the oil companies, especially Nigerian Agip Oil Company, of complicity in some of the recent mayhem in part of Bayelsa state. According to him "AGIP is assisting some politicians to import and stockpile arms at the Boma Rice farm in Okoroma/Tereke LGA to be used during elections. But Egbesu, the god of peace and justice, will frustrate all the evil machinations of these politicians and the oil companies". We are appealing to the Bayelsa State Police Command to investigate this rumour and punish those that are behind this crisis in the State.

In his speech, Felix Tuodolo, emeritus president of the IYC lamented the deterioration of moral values in politics, and condemned the recent killings in Nembe and Brass. He called on all Ijaw people to cooperate with the INC and IYC in their efforts at finding lasting solutions to these spate of killings in the name of politics. He stated that the IYC is investigating the crisis and will not leave any stone unturned in the quest for justice. He advised all Ijaw youths to conserve their strength for the greater battle for Resource control and self-determination, which is a task for all Ijaw people, because by the recent happenings it is crystal clear that the political class has failed the people and are looking for any possible means to hold on to power. All Ijaw people must resist this, he stated. He commended the central zone of the IYC in the efforts so far in combating terrorism in Bayelsa state.

The youth leaders will be consulting other spiritual leaders and eminent Ijaw persons before unfolding the program aimed at stopping political thuggery/terrorism in Ijawland.

Sgt. Werinipre Noel Digifa

Chairman, SEA.

August 2002