Ijaw youths protest against lawmaker’s sit-tight syndrome

Ijaw youths at the weekend, protested against the sit-tight syndrome of a lawmaker representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency, Nicholas Mutu.

They accused him of not ready to relinquish power to other aspirants, even though he has been in the House of Representatives for almost 19 years.

The youths marched through some major streets, chanting solidarity songs, and pledged to vote him out because he cannot be a ‘life representative.’

They carried placards with various inscriptions as: “Children born when you went to the House have grown up,” “This time, power must change hand,” “We are tired of sit-tight a representative, Enough is enough.”

The protest came a day after the pioneer President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide and Special Adviser to Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, Dr. Felix Tuodolo, declared to contest in the constituency.

They expressed concern that Mutu has been representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency without making useful contributions.

Tuodolo, who wants to run under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), promised to unseat Mutu in the 2019 election.

Chairman, Bomadi PDP, Prince Opofeni, commended Tuodolo for signifying his intention to run, and promised a level-playing field for all aspirants in the party.

Also speaking, a prominent Niger Delta activist, Kennedy Tonjo-West, expressed optimism that Tuodolo has the pedigree to represent the constituency effectively.