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Tompolo’s Kinsmen Declare: ‘We’ll Not Allow Any Politician To Cause Crisis Before, During And After 2019 Elections In Ijaw Land’
Niger Delta activist and prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, says the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta state would not allow troublemaker or politician to create crisis before, during and after 2019 election in Ijaw land.
BIGPEN NIGERIA reports that this is coming a day after recalcitrant militants group, Niger Delta Avengers threatened to cripple Nigerian economy if the 2019 presidential election is rigged in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Fiyewei of Gbaramatu kingdom and kinsman of ex-MEND leader, Tompolo, in a statement on Friday, said that some undisclosed politicians want to create an atmosphere of insecurity in Ijaw communities particularly in Gbaramatu Kingdom to give security agents excuse to attack the area.
He warned those he described miscreants not to come near Ijaw land to heat up the polity before, during and after the general elections, stressing that any attempt to create an enviroment of artificial insecurity in the land, such as pipeline vandalism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other vices would not be accepted.
The activist urged everyone across Ijaw land to maintain the relative peace laboured seriously for by stakeholders before, during and after the elections.
He said that Ijaw people are law abiding citizens of this country who have suffered enough from the unguided behaviours of few selfish and greedy politicians and strangers”.
According to him, the traditional stool and entire clan would not allow Gbaramatu Kingdom to be used as battle ground for anybody’s inordinate ambition because according to him, “when the chips are down, we would be left to suffer the consequences while such people go back to their communities or townships to live in their palatial houses”.
Gbenekama, who is the spokesman of the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, however made a pledge to ensure peace reign during and after the elections, saying, “We would not relent in our resolve to ensure that we keep the peace as directed by HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom.
The statement read in parts: “We would not hesitate to hand over any trouble maker to security Agencies in the course of this general elections should we suspect any foul play during and after the elections.
“I also call on everyone, young and old to be vigilant and to ensure that we do not allow anybody from within and without to come and cause problems within our territory whereby giving the wrong impression that our area is insecure.
“We should not allow those who are looking for an excuse to brand us as bad people to do what they have been longing to do to us as recent events in Gbaramatu kingdom suggests. Every Niger Deltan, Ezon person, and indeed Gbaramatuan must maintain and keep the peace.
“This advice becomes necessary because our resolve to keep the peace and have a peaceful poll might be put to test as politicians who may feel things are not going their way might want to cause problems .We should not give any person the opportunity to suggest a cancellation of our votes.
“Though successive governments have not treated us in the way we deserve but I believe as long as we remain peaceful, one day God would hear our cry.
“I appeal to the security agencies to be professional in carrying out their duties, if they gain the confidence of the people, then their work would be successful because the people would now see them as partners and not intimidators and oppressors.
“The military high command should also ensure that they monitor the activities of their personnel, because we have suffered greatly in the hands of some over jealous military personnel who sometimes treat us as less humans.
“I also want to appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers to keep the peace and not to preempt the outcome of the elections and threaten to cause problems, we should still give the federal government the benefit of doubt, believing that the electoral process and the umpire would not be compromised.
“They should look at the suffering of the ordinary citizens each time these agitations happens. Its not about any candidate but the interest of our people. I want to call every youth and youngman in Niger Delta and indeed Gbaramatu kingdom to be vigilant and ensure that we report any suspicious behaviour and movement to the the Gbaramatu traditional council so that we can also work with security agents to nip the problem in the bud.
“We must ensure that any criminal element who causes problem within this period is handed over to security agents. We should not allow one bad egg to destroy our common patrimony. The federal government should please provide a level playing ground for all candidates so that we the electorates can perform our franchise peacefully”.
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