Steer clear of Bayelsa politics, Ijaw youth warn Wike

The Defender of Izon Nation (DIN), Sunday urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to jettison the idea of using Governor Nyesom Wike to conduct Bayelsa governorship primaries.

The Ijaw pressure group comprising militants and others known in the creeks as Mangroove Boys, in a statement issued in Yenagoa yesterday said they would resist Wike as returning officer in the September 3 PDP primaries.

In the statement signed by spokesperson of the group, Omuwari Godspower, the involvement of the Rivers governor in the primaries would lead to unpleasant consequences as Ijaw are aggrieved with Wike’s neglect in Rivers.

DIN alleged that Wike has been oppressing the Ijaw in Rivers since he came to power, stressing that the Ijaw sons and daughters have been denied juicy appointments and portfolios to enable them empower their supporters.

DIN said Wike denied Ijaw people who sacrificed their resources, time, intellect and life for his re-election.

They claimed that no meaningful project has been cited in the Riverine communities in the state where Ijaw predominantly reside.

The youth group maintained that Wike, who has been treating them as minority in Rivers should not preside over their affairs in a state like Bayelsa where they are in the majority.

“Ijaw people have suffered greatly under Gov Wike’s administration, hence such a fellow cannot be a credible umpire.

“What the people of Bayelsa and Ijaw people want is a level playing field for all aspirants who seek to govern the state in all the political parties to test their popularity in a conducive atmosphere.

“We Ijaw cannot afford to continue in our mistakes. We reiterate that internal democracy is core prerequisite to a non violent, free, fair and credible general elections.

“We equally enjoin political players and actors to play clean and in accordance with INEC rules and regulations in the upcoming November 16 elections.

 “We wish to state categorically clear that the Mangrove Boys will disrupt the primaries if Wike is not removed and if the primaries is held anywhere outside Yenagoa.

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