Ijaw Youths, Niger Delta leaders lament selective harassment of heroes

Stakeholders in Ijaw land, including the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), the Niger Delta Patriotic Assembly (NDPA) and some Ijaw leaders have warned the Federal Government and politicians against the harassment and persecution of a former Presidential Adviser and Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Kingsley Kuku.

In separate statements, yesterday, the IYC Spokesperson, Ebilade Ekerefe; Ijaw Intellectual’s Coordinator, Dr Andaowei Robert and the Convener of NDPA, Okubokekeme Ngbeleowei, said they would no longer tolerate selective harassment of Ijaw heroes.

The groups and the leadership of Izon ethnic nationality lamented that government’s action might have negative consequences on the relative peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

They, therefore, urged the Federal Government to concentrate on governance and how to improve the living standard of Nigerians and leave Kuku alone.

Ekerefe said: “But what is even irreconcilable and fascinating is that Kuku is in court with the Federal Government, where he got judgment barring government from any arrest or prosecution in respect of his stewardship in the amnesty office. 

“It is on record that not too long ago, policemen went to his house in Arogbo town, forcefully broke into his house in an allegation that it housed guns and ammunition. This act was done in defiance to our laws with no search warrant issued to that effect.”

Ebilade said Kuku represented an embodiment of courage, peace, patriotism and dedication to the objectives of Ijaw struggle, adding that Kuku had done nothing to warrant any persecution. On his part, Ngbeleowei described as unethical and illegal the continual attempts by some politicians to smear Kuku’s image.