INC Abuja Visit: We Are Still On Course, Says INC Spokesman Ezonebi, Calls for Support

INC Abuja Visit: We Are Still On Course, Says INC Spokesman Ezonebi, Calls for Support

My Fellow Ijaw Compatriots, home and abroad, I feel extremely obliged to briefly respond to the mixed reactions that trailed the recent INC’S visit (24/6/2021) to the President of FGN from many quarters including the leadership and representatives of our sister ethnic nationalities in and beyond the Niger-Delta region.

Many have applauded the NEC for taking our battle for resource, human and environmental justice, equity, fairness and self-actualization directly to the seat of the Nigerian government.  Others have castigated NEC and even labelled the NEC names. While many consider the motive and the content of the INC President’s, address as captivating and noble, they express displeasure over the timing, particularly at this auspicious time of our nationhood.

The NEC sincerely appreciate all shades of reactions on all sides of the divide because they demonstrate the high expectations from resulting from the huge sacrifices made by our people to resuscitate the INC and keep its ship afloat and focused after 8 years of seamlessness.

The NEC wish to take full responsibility for any error by omission or commission, action or inaction that has caused disaffection among our members.It is pertinent to emphasize that  there was no room for discussions and agreement on the issues raised by both teams (i.e. INC delegation and the Federal Government)

I wish to reassure the entire Ijaw nation that the IJAW CAUSE is still ON COURSE. 

To say the least, those who ingeniously intended to hijack the entire visitation process and turn it into a solidarity visit for purposes of derailing the IJAW CAUSE were disappointed. Rather than compromise our collective position on the Ijaw agenda, we in the midst of the circumstances we found ourselves were able to courageously speak truth to power. A feat well acknowledged by many Ijaw elders and traditional rulers. We have also received encomium from some ethnic organizations for speaking for the entire Niger-Delta and other minorities who suffers same deplorable fate as we do.

The gains and lessons learnt from this experience and exposure has made the necessity for an early convocation of the All Ijaw Summit more compelling and imperative. We want to reassure our fellow Ijaw compatriots that with the current efforts put in place, the summit would hold in the shortest possible time, and the INC NEC shall religiously abide by the decision and direction as resolved by the summit. We shall be guided by the summit recommendations and stand for and by what the Ijaws desire in the immediate, short and long term bases. We are also propelled to set up the various statutory committees of congress in addition to setting up the structures of the INC at the Community, Clan, Chapters and the NRC (at both zonal and the national levels). These committees and organs of congress shall perform their stipulated functions in the INC constitution and add enormous values to our operations and effectiveness.

 A follow up committee to consolidate on a few gains attained from the visit which include hosting the officials of the British Embassy in the Ijaw House in Yenagoa has also been set up

while we thank you for your continuous support and cooperation, we solicit your fervent prayers to enable us remain strong and focused and harmonize divergent opinions from the conservatives and revolutionists, partisan and non-partisan, selfish and selfless perspectives. 

Once more, the NEC appreciate you all for all your comments, understanding, support and prayers.

Together, we are stronger.

Thanks for your audience.

Sign:

Engr. Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha,

Publicity Secretary

Ijaw National Congress.