The Ijaw Youth Council has threatened to launch a 14day- protest against the worsening hardship in Nigeria, but plans to consult with Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark, and other stakeholders before taking action.
IYC President, Dr. Alaye Tari Theophilus, announced this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, accusing some top government officials of politicizing the nation’s oil and gas sector, which he says has led to severe economic hardship for Nigerians.
Dr. Theophilus specifically blamed the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari, and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, for mishandling the sector.
According to him, “The actions of the NNPC leadership and the Petroleum Minister (Oil) have contributed to the ongoing economic challenges, which are most felt in oil-producing regions like the Niger Delta. Their inability to effectively manage the nation’s oil resources has led to a ripple effect of hardship, including high fuel prices, scarcity of petroleum products, and a strain on the national economy.”
Dr. Theophilus accused the NNPC and the Petroleum Minister of mismanagement and political maneuvering within the oil sector, saying, “The decisions made by these key figures are not in the best interest of the people but rather serve political interests that further marginalize the already struggling regions, especially the Niger Delta, which bears the brunt of oil exploration.”
He stressed that both the NNPC boss and the minister have failed in their duties to ensure transparency and accountability in the oil sector. He also noted that the politicization of oil revenues and contracts has worsened the economic crisis, leaving citizens struggling with high prices of essential goods and a declining standard of living.
Dr. Theophilus further accused the leadership of sidelining oil-producing communities, particularly the Ijaw nation, in decisions affecting their welfare. He pointed out that despite being the hub of Nigeria’s oil wealth, the Niger Delta continues to suffer from environmental damage, high unemployment, and poor infrastructure due to neglect by those in power.
“Their continuous stay in office is a disservice to the nation. We demand that the President take decisive action by removing these individuals from their positions to restore confidence in the oil sector and alleviate the suffering of Nigerians,” Dr. Theophilus said. He warned that, “Failure to act swiftly may lead to further unrest in the region and the IYC will embark on a Niger Delta protest for 14 days after due consultations with Pa Clark and other stakeholders who have the interest of the Ijaw man at heart because the youth are growing increasingly frustrated with the government’s handling of the nation’s oil wealth.”
The IYC, which represents the interests of the Ijaw ethnic group, has long been advocating for fair distribution of oil wealth and greater autonomy for the Niger Delta region. Dr. Theophilus added, “Our statement echoes the growing dissatisfaction among stakeholders in the oil-producing regions, who feel marginalized despite their significant contributions to the nation’s economy.”
