Mobolaji Michael
THE Indigenous People of Niger Delta (IPND) has described last Saturday’s Governorship and State House of Assembly election conducted in Lagos State as a declaration of war against people from Niger Delta states residents in Lagos.
IPND, in a statement signed by its President-General, Tiemo Pumokumo, said it watched with sadness the conduct of the said election in Lagos, which according to the organisation, follow the same process with the presidential and National Assembly Elections as they were used by some political elements from Yoruba tribe as a declaration of war against Niger Delta people and fellow citizens.
“As we condemn this act of barbarism by some political elements from the Yoruba tribe, we hereby call on the Government of Nigeria and the International Communities, most especially the EU, USA, Government of Canada, UK Government, etc to intervene before it is too late”.
While pointing out that Igbo to an average Yoruba person does not just mean Igbo people from South East Nigeria, it means everyone from South-South and South East geopolitical zones, IPND maintains that the attacks of people in the Lagos elections were not just against Igbo people but everyone from the South-South and South East.
“Most Yorubas, most especially the uneducated thugs that are used to execute the attacks, do not know the difference between Igbo, Urhobo, Ijaw, Ibibio, Erik, Bini, Isan, Etc. As long as you are not Yoruba speaking and you are from Southern Nigeria, then you are considered to be an Igbo.
“Also important to add that apart from the international oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, those with the highest number of oil blocks are Yorubas. Also important to state that the workforce in the oil and gas industry operating in the Niger Delta has Yorubas as the largest population.
“Our people have not exhibited any form of crude ethnic hatred or xenophobic attacks against the Yorubas any day. There are Yoruba settlements within the South-South and South-East and there is no time when they are attacked during elections and stopped from voting on elections day.
“The Indigenous People of Niger Delta (IPND) hereby, in strong terms, state that what happened in Lagos State elections is not just a declaration of war against our people but evil against humanity. All those behind the de-tasteful evil against human civilization must be brought to book for peace, security and justice to reign in Nigeria and the world in general. Elections are used to demonstrate the free will of citizens and the residence of a community or state for those who they want to govern them in a free, fair, credible and peaceful manner. An election is not war.
“Eko was the war camp of the Bini tribe from the Niger Delta. It shall remain the home of the Indigenous People of Niger Delta (IPND). Our peaceful nature and hospitality should not be taken for cowardice. The peace-loving people of Yoruba, most especially their traditional leaders and Afenifere should call these perpetrating evils with the name of Yoruba to order before they cause ethnic war in Nigeria”, the statement read.
Eighteen-Eleven Media