The umbrella body of Ijaw youths worldwide, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), has warned the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), over comments the council deemed provocative, reckless, and senseless regarding the Warri delineation exercise.
A statement signed by its spokesman, Yerim Princewill, said the statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of OPC, Yinka Oguntimilehin, where he urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reverse the Wards Delineation exercise in Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State, in recent publications, was audacious and has ignited a tempest of concern within IYC, which need urgent response and clarity.
The statement warned that OPC must understand that the Ijaw youths will not continue to take such careless and provocative remarks and will not be swayed by empty rhetoric or veiled threats, as they are ready to defend their rights and interests.
The statement reads, “Ordinarily, it is not in our interest to respond to every Tom, Dick, and Harry, but because this is coming from a supposed respected organisation in Yoruba land, it is crucial that the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide responds to put the misleading and false information peddled by the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in proper perspective.
“We are dismayed that the OPC, once a beacon of credibility and enviable status in Yoruba land, has descended to this lamentable level of speaking without an informed position and sadistically displaying crass ignorance on the issue at stake, a development that is both distressing and perturbing.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is merely carrying out a Supreme Court judgment, a sacrosanct directive that brooks no interference or manipulation. It is not a tool to be directed by the Oodua Peoples Congress on when and how to reverse or carry out an already concluded Ward Delineation exercise in Warri. The OPC must know its limits and boundaries in Nigeria, respecting the Niger Delta and Ijaw areas, where they have no business meddling.
“It is essential to reiterate that the INEC field report was conducted with the full participation of all Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri representatives in the Warri Federal Constituency, a process characterised by fairness, transparency, and credibility. The outcome of this exercise is a testament to the efficacy of inclusive and participatory governance.
“Warri and indeed the entire Delta State are peaceful, with no tension regarding the outcome of the delineation. The Federal Government’s efforts in apprehending those who attempted to smuggle guns into our state to cause trouble have been commendable. We call on the Federal Government to pursue the gun smuggling matter to its logical conclusion, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
“We make it clear that whatever the Itsekiris were enjoying in Warri Federal Constituency prior to the Supreme Court judgment is nothing but fraud and non-existent now. The Ijaws will never accept going back to the old exploitative and manipulative arrangement, which was characterised by injustice and inequity. We must respect the independence of INEC and the rule of law in this country, upholding the principles of fairness and justice.”
While warning that Nigeria is not a banana republic, the statement added that the Niger Delta region is not under the jurisdiction of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) or the Yoruba people.
The council also stated that the counter-publications from the Itsekiris and OPC, which threaten fire and brimstone, will not hold water, as the Ijaws will not be intimidated by such tactics, but will continue to advocate for justice and fairness.
“The Niger Delta region is not under the jurisdiction of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) or the Yoruba people. The IYC wonders at the audacity, impunity, and temerity with which the OPC is speaking regarding Warri Federal Constituency, Delta State. No amount of connivance will be allowed to suppress justice and the independence of INEC.
“There is no single community in the INEC field report on the Warri Federal Constituency wards delineation exercise within the Ijaw territories that does not belong to the Ijaws in Warri South West, Warri South, and Warri North. This is a fact that is evident to all, and we will not allow it to be distorted or manipulated.
“While the Ijaws have never interfered with the excellent work INEC is doing, it is our call that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must not delay any further in implementing the drafted field report. We urge INEC to uphold its independence and impartiality, ensuring that justice is served and the rights of all parties are respected,” the statement concluded.
