… alleges imminent security implosion in N’Delta
ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, YENAGOA
Traditional priests of the Ijaw nation, under the auspices of Egbesu Brotherhood has called on Ijaw people to return to their root as they are uncertain of the future events in the Niger Delta in the days ahead.
The Coordinator, Egbesu Brotherhood, Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, declared in a statement on Monday that part of the resolutions reached at their stakeholders’ meeting via Zoom was for the Ijaw to peacefully secede from Nigeria through a national dialogue.
He said the resolution was a wake-up call to all agitators, noting that they are equally sending memos to Ijaw communities in the Niger Delta to advise them to embark on an immediate revival of all traditional religious institutions.
Kemepadei urged Ijaw people to be prepared for the worst, alleging that the Niger Delta is already fragile and on the verge of another violent eruption of youth restiveness and militancy.
He said: “We warn that the entire Niger Delta region is silently sitting on a keg of gunpowder. It is only a matter of time for the devastating explosion to occur, no thanks to the rising tension following recent happenings capable of stirring up another cycle of violent agitations.
“We deem it necessary to use this medium as a clarion call for all concerned authorities and relevant stakeholders, especially the Federal Government and top decision-makers to look into the current situation with an urgent proactive step to nip the situation in the bud.
“It has been observed quite clearly that the widespread agitations by youth groups and other concerned bodies are not unconnected with the systematic hijack and control of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as a personal business empire by the present leadership structure of the commission.
“We also use this medium to affirm our stand with the position of our spiritual leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, on the inauguration of a substantive board of the NDDC within seven days.”