Sensor Newspaper

Prominent elders of Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of Adaha Akwa Ibom Organization have warned some Northern elders against making inciting statements while discussing the Boko Haram crises which has led to the killing of Christians from Southern Nigeria.
This was part of a press statement read on behalf of the group by its Vice President, Otuekong Sunny Jackson at a media interactive session yesterday.
Citing the statement of Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the elders whose president is Obong Michael Afangideh said it was most insensitive for Sanusi to allude that what has caused the Boko Haram crisis is the imbalance in sharing of national revenue which greatest chunk is given to the Niger Delta region.
According to the elders, the Niger Delta region which suffers the greatest hazards due to oil exploitation deserves more than the 13% derivation fund it is receiving calling for the urgent implementation of 25% derivation being demanded.
In the group's view, during the groundnut pyramid era, 50% of the revenue was returned to the North declaring that 13% derivation paid to the Niger Delta is totally unacceptable.
Explaining that it is wrong for Northern groups including Arewa Citizens Action for Change to compare the legitimate demands by ex-Niger Delta militants with those of Boko Haram activist saying that militancy in the Niger Delta region was a consequence of years of resource exploitation and social neglect of the region's infrastructure, welfare and provocative marginalization from the benefits of the oil and gas industry.
“What is Boko Haram fighting for? Who and where are they? If it is true that they want everybody in Nigeria to be a Muslim and be governed by Sharia Law, then they are the greatest jokers as that can never happen in our own part of Nigeria,” the statement added calling on Northern leaders to take steps to put an end to the Boko Haram episode.
In view of what it described as different positions held by various ethnic nationalities on the ongoing crisis in Nigeria, Adaha Akwa Ibom made a case for a National Conference where all the ethnic nationalities will come together and discuss on the way to ensure peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
It regretted that despite the contribution of the Niger Delta towards the economic development of Nigeria and its deliberate efforts in assisting Northern Nigeria to produce past presidents, Northern Nigeria is making the country ungovernable now that President Goodluck Jonathan, a son of South-South is in power.
It therefore added that “Adaha believes and advises that the ethnic nationality that craves for self determination can and should do so without the shedding of innocent blood.”
While commending President Jonathan for the peaceful resolution of the fuel subsidy removal crisis in the country, it advised the Federal Government to expedite action on the palliative measures promised.
Adaha Akwa Ibom also demanded for the enforcement of the approved pump price of N97 per litre of petrol in all states urging traders to adjust commodity prices that were jerked up when the pump price of N141 per litre was announced.
The elders also advised the federal government to “eat with Boko Haram with a long spoon” in the event of any form of dialogue stressing that the group should not be allowed to hold Nigeria to ransom for no just cause.
The group also called on President Jonathan to ensure completion of projects in the Niger Delta region. Some of the projects listed in the statement are East West Road, especially section 2 and 4, the Ibaka Deep Sea Port, the Coastal Highway and Railway.
The elders also pleaded with President Jonathan to site a refinery in Akwa Ibom State since it is the largest oil producing state in Nigeria.
Commending Governor Godswill Akpabio for what it described as his purposeful administration of Akwa Ibom State, they commended him for election victories, infrastructural development of the state, free education policy among other projects.
Adaha Akwa Ibom also commended the Governor for the management of the NLC/TUC nationwide strike over removal of fuel subsidy and peaceful resolution of the strike by the state chapter of NLC over minimum wage.
The elders lauded the Governor, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and other Security Chiefs for the improvement of security situation in the state.
Adaha Akwa Ibom Organization which says it is committed to protecting the interest of Akwa Ibom people in national politics lending its voice to issues in the state has some of its members as Obong Michael Afangideh-President, Otuekong Suny Jackson-Vice President, Obong Maurice Ebong-Secretary, Obong Sunny Udom, Obong E. P. Umanah, Obong Lambert Udo, Obong Ukata Akpan, Mr. Udo Ekpenyong, Obong Okokon Etuk, Obong Akpainyang, Obong Cyril Ekiko, Obong Ememobong Essien.

Bookmark with: