By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

The coalition of Niger Delta Youths Stakeholders, CNDYS, has berated the media attacks on the President of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba over his visit to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr. Dennis Otuaro.

Reacting to another group’s comment, the youths coalition in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, by its National Coordinator, Gen. Bodmas Kemepadei and Publicity Secretary Gen. Ellington Bakumor, said the attack on Okaba is not only a distortion of truth, but a “disrespect and insult to the exhalted office of the INC President and the Ijaw institution.”

They said: “We are aware that the handwriting on the wall is clear that group is an epitome of a pawn hiding under the shadows of enemies of Ijaw Nation who takes pride in the” Pull Him down Syndrome,” without mincing words, the sponsors are people who are relentless and hell bent on sabotaging Ijaw Nation.

“We read with disdain the public show of shame and embarrassing statement made by the faceless group where they cast aspersions against Prof. Benjamin Okaba for commending and endorsing an Ijaw son Dr. Dennis Otuaro led PAP.

“We are perplexed at the level of hatred the group cultivates against Ijaw Nation and institutions to have recklessly insulted the President of INC and further make unfounded allegations against the personality of a well respected Ijaw father and leader Prof. Benjamin Okaba.

” President Okaba remains the leader of the highest Ijaw institution and body, INC remains revered and respected to us as Ijaw people, therefore Prof. Okaba has jealously guided the principles, doctrines and aims of the founding fathers of the INC.

“Okaba remains the portrait of the INC and has the capacity to speak, commend, endorse or even caution any authority, person, office and group with the mandate given to him as President of the INC.

“However, we wish to caution against hatred and envy for condemning a performing and uncommon leaders of Ijaw Nation like Dr. Dennis Otuaro and Prof. Benjamin Okaba”.

The coalition also faulted statements accusing the INC President of singlehandedly endorsing Dr. Dennis Otuaro and congratulating new Head of Federal Service, Didi Walson-Jack, describing it as desperation and hatred taken too far just to please paymasters for a paycheque.

While warning against such divisive antics and to also caution his paymasters for the sake of posterity, the youths coalition advised that they make retractions and public apology to Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the INC and entire Ijaw Nation.


“We commend Prof. Benjamin Okaba and INC for the commendations and endorsement of Dr. Dennis Otuaro who truly is on the right path and has done credibly well since inception of office in March as Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme, we again, applaud Prof. Okaba’s led INC for commending President Bola Tinubu for appointing Dr. Dennis Otuaro an illustrious Ijaw son and the recent appointment of an Ijaw Daughter as Head of Federal Service Commission.

“As a group, we are resolute in our quest for a better Niger Delta Region and we cannot be cowed by a group of persons or individuals to feed their personal interest but rather collectively support policies that will benefit the Region. Unlike other faceless groups who are hiding at the back and living in the pockets of enemies of Ijaw Nation. We must stop them,” the coalition stated.


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