The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the umbrella body of Ijaw people in Nigeria have send a message of congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his emergence as the President of Nigeria.
The group also lauded the president on the successful nominations, screenings and inauguration of members of the Federal executive council (FEC) which saw some illustrious Ijaw sons in the cabinet.
To this end the body has stated that President Tinubu’s gesture was a very clear recognition of Ijaw votes and contributions toward his success at the polls.
This was even as the Ijaw National Congress have also noted that as a body they were aware of all the decisions the President have taken so far, upon his assumption into office, especially on national security issues.
A statement from the INC leadership made available to Newsmen by its President, Professor Benjamin Okaba read in parts: “Worthy of mention is Mr. President deft decisions on internal security matters where Mr. Kayode Egbetokun was appointed as the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
“Egbetokun, since his emergence have shown administrative dexterity, maturity and an in-depth grasps of the internal security issues.
“We commend Mr. Egbetokun for his seamless assumption of office without career casualties of officers of the same rank with him.”
The statement further reads: “We commend his tacit recognition of year of enlistment as the hallmark of seniority in the force and not career mobility, which occasionally may arise from exigencies of the moment.
“The Ijaw Nation however views the current security situation in Nigeria with apprehension and deep concern. As morning shows the day, we are concerned that the emerging trend may show the direction of government policies and performances on the dire security situation in the country.
“The attention of the new Government has to be drawn immediately to the ugly incidences and possible consequences of some of its security policies and choices.
“So far, the security decisions of government has not inspired confidence in the new administration, neither has it in anyway addressed or tackled the troubling security situation across the country.
“The North-West is embroiled in banditry and killings, including killing of military personnel.
“Just recently 22 of our finest officers and men were ambushed and killed in Niger State. The South-East still remains a killing field and the same is true of the North-East.
“The Niger is not spared as poverty is being weaponized arising from environmental degradation, social and economic injustice, infrastructural neglect, etc.
“The region have been reduced to a conundrum of mass anger, frustration, hopelessness, etc, all bottled up, waiting for uncontrollable implosion if not addressed”.
The INC which said it has been watching the prevailing circumstances in Niger Republic with keen interest, restated that the threat of war is certain to throw the Nigerian security situation into deeper complications and difficulties.
This was just the group unequivocally also have noted that they were concerned as an ethnic nationality that it does not support war in any form or arm conflicts with Niger Republic, no matter the excuses or reasons advanced for it.
“We’ll always be advising on diplomatic approaches and responsible economic sanctions, whereby the common people of Niger Republic will not be made to suffer dire consequences arising from power struggle amongst the ruling elites.
“The lzon nation views the worsening security architecture of Nigeria, especially in the military as the consequence of the new government choices, wherein many experienced officers were unduly thrown into retirement.
“It’s a gross disservice to the nation. We believe that this wrong decision will impact negatively on military competence and esprit de corp. No nation throws away their best hands.
“It’s our strong advice that what happened in the Nigerian military should not be allowed to repeat itself in other security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police which is the foremost internal security organization in the country.
“The Ijaw National Congress will not be persuaded to accept any destructive mischief concerning its own people in particular or compromising of the security health of Nigeria at large, especially at a time like this as doing so may portend ugly or unpleasant consequences for the country”, Okaba added.
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