Arewa Youths condemn comments of faceless group against Diri, others over Nembe spill

Northern Youths, under the umbrella of Arewa Consultative Youth Movement (ACYM) have dissociated themselves from the recent derogatory comments against the Bayesa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri and the people of Niger Delta over the Nembe oil spill.

The ACYM, led by its President, Mallam Kabir Yusuf, condemned the action of some faceless Arewa Youths that launched media attack, which was said to have allegedly “cast aspersions on the person and statement of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Duoye Diri on the Nembe oil spill, occasioned by the blowout of Santa Barbara Well 1, OML 29 operated by AITEO Exploration and Production Company Limited in Opu Nembe, Bayelsa State.” 

At a press conference in Kaduna, Yusuf, who denounced the action of those behind the recent statement by some youths, said: “We wish to categorically dissociate ourselves from the said statement, as it did not emanate from our organisation, the Arewa Consultative Youth Movement (ACYM).”

He pointed out that “at no time did we contemplate challenging or condemning the position of the Governor of Bayelsa State or any other person on that unfortunate incident. 

“The ACYM is a responsible movement, led by matured young Nigerians of Northern extraction, who believe in one Nigeria and the concept of an injury to one is an injury to all. 

“Therefore, what affects the people of Nembe affects us too. We cannot be hasty and irresponsible in disparaging the statement of a Governor on an issue we know nothing about. How could we have commented against the Chief Security Officer of a state on a hazardous matter of this nature, when we have not visited the site of the disaster to see things for ourselves?

“We call on the governor, the good people of Nembe community, Bayelsans and the general public to disregard and discountenance the news in its entirety…”

While commending Governor Diri for his people-oriented leadership for identifying with his people at their time of need, Yusuf called on the Federal Government to “penalise Aiteo Exploration and Production Company Ltd., to ensure it takes necessary steps to remedy the environment, pay compensation and be more responsible in their operations going forward, to serve as deterrence to others.”

He also urged the company to show more professionalism in its operations and be humane in its relationship with its host communities.