IJAW LEADERS DECIDED

JONATHAN FOR SECOND TERM OR FORGET ABOUT ONE NIGERIA - LEADERSHIP OF IJAW NATION

The leadership of the Ijaw nation yesterday rose from a meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, declaring that unless Jonathan was allowed a second term in office as, there will no longer be a “One Nigeria.”

Besides, the people also warned that any further attack on the President by hoodlums would be effectively retaliated.

This position was made known at a meeting facilitated by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Kingsley Kuku in Yenagoa which had in attendance the state’s governor, Seriake Dickson, his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah and top government officials.

The former Ijaw warlords at the meeting included Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo; Alhaji Asari Dokubo; General Boyloaf and Gen. Young-Shall-Grow and almost all the Generals of the Niger Delta struggle.

In their speeches, they made it clear that since the oil produced on their land was the unifying factor that brings the nation together, they were ready to stop the oil from continuing to flow if the President is not allowed a second tenure.

Asari particularly charged the youth to be battle ready, “if need be, as nobody can frighten or intimidate us anymore.”

“There is power in Ijaw nation. We are going to war; everyone of us should go and purify himself,” he declared.

Also speaking, Boyloaf said: “There is one Nigeria only because our oil brings us together. Today, they are intimidating one of our own. I, Gen. Boyloaf, I am ready for them. We own the resources, yet they say we do not have the right to rule. Then, we must collect our oil back. If they say they want to take the power from us, then we will take our oil back. We are ready to match them bumper for bumper.”

Boyloaf insisted: “Gone are the days when you intimidate people with guns. We are ready. The Nigerian Army cannot police the pipelines from end to end.”

Summoning up the decisions of the leadership, Kuku made it clear that the Ijaw nation would no longer tolerate the continued attack on the President in the north, especially after the Ijaw people and nation had extend a hand of friendship to their son when his campaign train came to Bayelsa.

“We will not take lightly again what has been happening to the President in the North. We will no longer accept it anymore. For this country to remain united, they should treat our own as we have treated theirs,” he warned.

Speaking later, Dickson said he would take the message of the people to appropriate quarters, adding that he has a fair understanding of all the issues involved.