Ijaw youths divided over call for Akpabio’s sack as minister

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has dissociated itself from calls for the sack of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

A statement had been credited to the president of the council, Eric Omare, where he called for the sack of the minister saying that his activities since his appointment had led to instability and confusion in the region. He had also claimed that Akpabio was interfering in the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

However, IYC Spokesman, Daniel Dasimaka, in a different statement issued on Friday, said the youths were solidly behind Akpabio and had no reason to demand his removal.

He added that such agitation was detrimental to the development of the Niger Delta region.

READ ALSO: Did DSP Dolapo call Naira Marley a ‘dead duck under the guise of making music’? Read her post

Dasimaka said, “The IYC is pleased with the moves Senator Akpabio has taken so far as Niger Delta Minister. We wholeheartedly welcome the call to audit the activities of the NDDC and to reposition the Commission and other MDAs saddled with responsibilities to develop our region.

“We are all aware of the uncommon transformation that the minister brought to Akwa Ibom in his eight years as Governor and desire to see him replicate the same in the entire region.

“There is, therefore, no way would the IYC or any development-seeking youths from our region call for the sack of an agent of positive change like Sen Akpabio.

“The call for his sack is the handiwork of impostors who want to leverage the influence and credibility of the IYC to push their own agenda. And for the avoidance of doubt, Barrister Pereotubo Oweilaemi is the President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now