Ijaw group condemns 4th term move by incumbent legislators

By: Omonigho Matthew
From: Patani


In a communiqué signed and made available to Fresh Angle, the Coalition of Ijaw Youth Leader, COIL have joined the people of Patani, Bomadi and elders of Izon Okosu-Otu to condemn Ijaw legislators seeking fourth tenure into the National and State House of Assemblies.

They are also calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to visit Delta State with a bid to investigating constituency projects claimed to have been carried out by the legislators from Patani, Bomadi and Burutu local government areas of Delta State.

The Coalition of Ijaw Youth Leaders said the legislators should not see themselves as the only ones that understand the plight and needs of the Ijaw people, especially those of them that have spent over three tenures from Federal to State House of Assemblies.

The communiqué adds that the investigation and prosecution of those legislators will serve as a deterrent to others as well as guarantee a platform for peaceful, free and fair elections in 2011.

They also advised prospective legislators to prepare themselves for better representation of the Ijaw nation, pointing out that what they need is growth and development of Ijaw land.

The Coalition also pledged their support to Dr. Chris Ekiyor, a House of Representative hopeful and Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, a House of Assembly hopeful for Warri South West. They urged their people to vote for them in the primaries and at the general elections as the zeal and passion for growth and development of Ijaw land is high in them.

The Coalition also called on all gubernatorial aspirants, including Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to take their campaigns to at least 80% of Ijaw communities so that they can better understand and see for themselves the first hand sufferings of the Ijaw people.

The protest which lasted for almost 25minutes at the East/West express road recently saw the protesters with inscriptions such as “No more Basil Ganagana” “vote of no Confidence” “we need change” ‘power must change hand” “Bomadi people say no to 4th tenure legislators” “we want you no more” “peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice” “PDP ensure free primaries for the sake of peace in the region-IYC”.

Meanwhile, President of Concerned Patani Youths says they are in support of Dr. Uduaghan but are against fourth tenure legislators in the state.

He said that much has not been achieved from the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan but that they are supporting him and saying no to the legislators because they have witnessed poor representation all through their stay in office. He also called on the Peoples Democratic Party to dissociate itself from fourth tenure legislators in the state.

Also Comrade Alex Oyazimo, a member of All Change Alliance said they will never welcome and accept any fourth tenure legislator in their land.

The communiqué was signed by Dr. C.R. Agagha Chairman of Ijaw Youth Leader, Comrade Orusede .B. Michael, Secretary, Barr. N. Egin, Spokesman and Co-ordinator, Hon. Fred Afoegba,