IYC Tackles Tinubu Over Recent 45 Federal Appointments, Call For Inclusion Of More Ijaws
By Rejoice Egbaseimokumor
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, has tackled President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of 45 chairpersons to head different Federal Government boards, agencies, organisations and companies with only Chief D I Kekemeke an Ijaw from Arogbo In Ondo State.
This was contained in a statement signed and issued to newsmen in Yenagoa today by Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, Spokesman Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspapers International.
The statement reads in full below:
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide
Press Statement
24/01/2025
IYC Tackles Tinubu Over Recent 45 Federal Appointments With Only One Ijaw, Call For Inclusion Of More Ijaws
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, dedicated to advocating for the interests of Ijaw youths in Nigeria and beyond has frowned at the recent appointment of 45 chairpersons to head various federal government boards, agencies, organisations and companies with only one Ijaw son from Arogbo in Ondo State. This to us is a gross abuse of God’s love.
This is not only a politically motivated anomaly but also a deliberate attempt to undermine and marginalize the Ijaw people within the Nigerian state. Despite their peaceful disposition and significant contributions to the nation’s economy, the Ijaws continue to face systematic exclusion and marginalization. What happens to the Ijaws in Bayelsa State that they cannot be fixed into any of the boards, agencies, organisations and companies?.
It is crucial to remember that the Ijaws have played a pivotal role in the development of Nigeria. The oil extracted from Ijaw lands is the lifeblood of the Nigerian economy, and their political contributions to the nation’s polity are undeniable.
Despite this, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration continues to shortchange the Ijaws, exhibiting a blatant disregard for our rights and contributions. This latest action, the appointment of 45 chairpersons with only one Ijaw representative, is a bitter pill that the Ijaws will not swallow. While we are grateful for Kekemeke’s appointment, we are calling for the inclusion of more Ijaws in the appointments.
The appointment of 45 chairpersons with only one Ijaw representation is a complete violation of the Federal Character principle and a clear manifestation of hatred towards the Ijaw people by the Tinubu administration. Why is it that the President love for Nigeria and Nigerians is not spread to Ijaw land and Ijaw people. Ijaw is part of Nigeria and should not be treated as an invisible peripheral people.
There is absolutely no justification for excluding the Ijaws from these positions. The Ijaw community boasts of capable and competent individuals across various states apart from Ondo for which our dear respected leader Kekemeke hails from, there are states like Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia States that qualified Ijaw people are that can handle such positions.
This blatant discrimination is further compounded by the earlier appointment of 45 ministers with only one Ijaw representative. The lack of transparency and fairness in these appointments continues to baffle and anger the Ijaw people.
The Tinubu administration has consistently marginalized the Ijaws, as evidenced by the following actions:
The clandestine sale of Agip Oil Company to Oando, without any input from the Niger Delta or Ijaw people, exemplifies the government’s disregard for the region’s interests. The sale of Shell’s onshore assets in the Niger Delta to Renaissance, a consortium, without giving the region’s people the right of first refusal, is another blatant act of injustice. In adition,The relocation of key economic institutions and departments in the aviation industry to Lagos State while refusing to relocate the headquarters of oil companies and the NNPCL back to the Niger Delta is a clear indication of the government’s bias towards our region.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must recognize that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic state and that political appointments must reflect this diverse composition.He must prioritise inclusivity and ensure equitable representation across all ethnic groups.
The IYC unequivocally is calling on President Tinubu and his administration to rectify this injustice immediately by including more Ijaws.The Ijaws will not tolerate further manipulation and discrimination. The government loses legitimacy when its actions and policies disregard the interests of the legitimate people of Nigeria.
Signed,
Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill
Spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.
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