…Says Statement Displays FG’s Lack of Commitment Toward Negotiations

By Francis Sadhere

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), the Umbrella body of Ijaw youths, has hit hard on President Buhari’s alleged stance in applying Boko Haram treatment in resolving the Niger Delta problems.

President Mohammadu Buhari

The group described the warning to Niger Delta agitators to negotiate or face Boko Haram treatment credited to President Buhari, while discussing with the Japanese leader in Nairobi, Kenya as reckless and pre-judicial to the peaceful resolution of the renewed militancy in the region.

“We have just read a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media Affairs, Mr. Garba Shehu, in Nairobi, Kenya wherein President Buhari while discussing with the Japanese leader warned Niger Delta agitators to negotiate or face the Boko Haram treatment.

“The IYC condemn the statement and state that it is reckless and prejudicial to peaceful resolution of the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta,” it added.

Accordig to the statement whic was signed by IYC spokesperson, Eric Omare, the Ijaw youths noted that there was no basis for that statement considering that the circumstances of the Niger Delta are different from the Boko Haram crisis.

It maintained that the statement completely displayed the federal government’s lack of commitment towards negotiation.

It added that there was no basis to threaten Niger Deltans with the Boko Haram treatment when discussions were ongoing and considering the fact that the circumstances of the Niger Delta are different from the Boko Haram crisis.

The Ijaw youth body said Buhari ststement shows that the government has made up its mind to use force against Niger Delta communities.

“The IYC wishes to alert Nigerians and the international community that the Buhari government is executing a predetermined agenda against the Niger Delta region which is to attack and kill innocent people.

“This is so because the militants attacking oil facilities are not stationed in any particular place to justify the federal government threat to give Niger Delta militants the Boko Haram treatment,” it stated.

IYC recalled that it was the antagonistic posture of President Buhari towards the Niger Delta region that partly contributed to the renewed militancy.

“President Buhari and his advisers should know that force and war can never win them peace to continue with the exploitation of the Niger Delta oil resources. You may win the war with force but you cannot win peace with force,” it added.