– Ijaw Youth Council commended the decision of the federal government to dialogue with the Niger Delta Avengers – The group warned President Buhari that any attempt to use military against the militants might spell doom for Nigeria – According to IYC, a roundtable discussion with sincerity of purpose will produce a win-win situation for both parties
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has commended the decision of the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with the Niger Delta Avengers, Vanguard reports. In a statement issued by the Western Zone chairman, Freedom Atigbi, IYC warned Buhari that any attempt to use military against the militants might spell doom for Nigeria and its people. It also urged the government to be sincere with its decision to negotiate with the militants and advised to engage critical stakeholders to end the menace of attacks rocking the nation’s oil industry.
“Any attempt by government to play politics with this dialogue might only extend the evil days facing the economy, traumatised as a result of government’s inability to face the main issues confronting the region, which has been the case with successive governments, which had opened an opportunity for further agitation in the oil rich Niger Delta region,” he said.
’ ultimatum to governor Atigbi called on the government to save the nation’s economy which is in a state of comatose due to militant groups, who had earlier vowed to reduce oil production to zero by attacking oil installations in the Niger Delta region. According to Atigbi, dialogue is the only true process that will help to end the current hostilities in the oil rich Niger Delta region.
He noted that a roundtable discussion with sincerity of purpose will produce a win-win situation for both parties. “Therefore, government should take the process seriously because much more damage had already been done to the environment through oil spills by oil companies and militants’ activities. “The current hostilities in the region cannot be separated from the age long neglect on the path of government for not addressing the principal issues such as true federalism,” he added.
Meanwhile, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor, also advised President Buhari to avoid confrontations with the militants and address the issue through a positive dialogue. “Mr President, confrontation at every given time will not solve any problem, even when nations go to war, they still go to the drawing table to dialogue and negotiate, negotiating does not make you a lazy man,” he noted.
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has commended the decision of the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with the Niger Delta Avengers, Vanguard reports. In a statement issued by the Western Zone chairman, Freedom Atigbi, IYC warned Buhari that any attempt to use military against the militants might spell doom for Nigeria and its people. It also urged the government to be sincere with its decision to negotiate with the militants and advised to engage critical stakeholders to end the menace of attacks rocking the nation’s oil industry.
“Any attempt by government to play politics with this dialogue might only extend the evil days facing the economy, traumatised as a result of government’s inability to face the main issues confronting the region, which has been the case with successive governments, which had opened an opportunity for further agitation in the oil rich Niger Delta region,” he said.
’ ultimatum to governor Atigbi called on the government to save the nation’s economy which is in a state of comatose due to militant groups, who had earlier vowed to reduce oil production to zero by attacking oil installations in the Niger Delta region. According to Atigbi, dialogue is the only true process that will help to end the current hostilities in the oil rich Niger Delta region.
He noted that a roundtable discussion with sincerity of purpose will produce a win-win situation for both parties. “Therefore, government should take the process seriously because much more damage had already been done to the environment through oil spills by oil companies and militants’ activities. “The current hostilities in the region cannot be separated from the age long neglect on the path of government for not addressing the principal issues such as true federalism,” he added.
Meanwhile, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Ogor, also advised President Buhari to avoid confrontations with the militants and address the issue through a positive dialogue. “Mr President, confrontation at every given time will not solve any problem, even when nations go to war, they still go to the drawing table to dialogue and negotiate, negotiating does not make you a lazy man,” he noted.
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