Niger Delta Youths under the umbrella of Niger Delta Youth Congress, NDYC, have dissociated themselves from the recent quit notice by a group called Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, CNDA, to Hausas and Yourbas to leave the region before October 1, 2017.
The National Coordinator, NDYC, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan, who made their stand known on behalf of the group, said the order was aimed at creating hatred and to incite violence in the region.
According to Uwejeyan, the so-called CDNA and their sponsors was not speaking for and cannot speak on behalf of the Niger Delta region.
He added that non-indigenes in the region should not panic as they would stand and protect them.
The statement reads, “The Niger Delta Youth Congress is a foremost non-violent youth organisation that seek to address varied issues of inequality, injustices, social, economical and political challenges that affect the good people of the Niger Delta region, with the sole aim of strengthening and empowering the youths to play prominent role in addressing these challenges.
“We the Niger Delta Youth Congress, NDYC, totally condemned in strong terms, the quit notice issued by the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators to Northerners and Yorubas from the region before October 1 , 2017.
“We dissociate ourselves and well meaning youths in the region from these traitors who are out to cause disaffection, hate and violence in the region. We are peace loving young people and believe in the unity of our great country, and refuse and reject to be cajoled by such self-centred and faceless groups.
“The so-called CDNA and their sponsors are not speaking for and cannot speak on behalf of the good people of the Niger Delta region.
“We sincerely urge all Northerners and Yorubas in the region to ignore the quit notice and go about their legitimate activities without fear and report any form of threats by any miscreant to the relevant authorities. We will ensure you are protected from all forms of harassments and violence.”
However, he expressed dissatisfaction over the low response of government on making sure hate speeches do not continue to spread.
“We also want to vehemently express our dissatisfaction to the government and security operatives on their nonchalant and lackadaisical response to issues that should be nipped at the bud.
“We strongly believe in the peace and unity of this Nation and we urge all youths in the various regions to shun hate statements capable of causing chaos and align in the struggle for a better and well structured Nigeria. We shall soon embark on enlightenment on how to disabuse the minds of young people on accepting hate speeches in the Niger Delta region.
“We are resolute on the call for restructuring and urge all well meaning groups and individuals in the region to stick to the call for the restructuring of the Nation’s current political arrangements and desist from making senseless agitation that would breed violence”, he added.
