Itsekiri youths hail peace deal brokered by Jonathan

The Itsekiri National Youths Council has thrown its weight behind the moves initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan to peacefully resolve the stalemate surrounding the groundbreaking of the $16bn Gas City Project at Ogidigben, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

In a statement made available to Saturday PUNCH in Asaba on Friday, INYC said though the council had its reservations about the refusal of Jonathan to carry out the groundbreaking ceremony of the project following threats from Ijaw communities, it commends his latest effort to bring about peace.

The Public Relations Officer of INYC, Mr. Gbubemi Abigor, called on the President to drive the peace process of the resolution of this deadlock in a manner that would depict him as the father of all and the president of the whole country.

Abigor however said that the council was studying Wednesday’s peace deal brokered by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in Asaba between the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities on the matter.

He said the interest of INYC in that deal was to ensure that the rule of law was not compromised particularly the existing geographical map of the area and the history of land holding.

He said that the INYC led by Mr. David Tonwe as the only legally recognised umbrella youth body of the Itsekiri, is fully in support of the peace process.

He warned the public to beware of the existence of some impostors parading themselves as members of the INYC with a view to seeking relevance for pecuniary gains in this election circle.

He finally urged the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to take advantage of the window offered by the extension of the polls to address these outstanding issues.

He also advised that other segments of the society particularly the traditional institutions and the leaders of thought should be carried along in this resolution process.