Niger Delta people: Lagos election, declaration of war against our people - ITREALMS

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The Indigenous People of Niger Delta (IPND) has declared that the level of harassment and intimidation, and threat to lives of Ndigbo in Lagos is a declaration of war against their people, warning Yoruba warmongers that their peaceful nature and hospitality should not be taken for cowardice, reports ITREALMS.

President General, Indigenous People of Niger Delta (IPND), Tiemo Pumokumo made this known and warned the definition of the Ndigbo in those attacks were targeted at non-indigenes of both South-East and South South among citizens from other parts of the country outside Yoruba land.

"We have watched with sadness the governorship and house of assembly election in Lagos that followed same process with the Presidential and National Assembly Elections as they were used by some political elements from Yoruba tribe as declaration of war against our people and fellow citizens," he said.

As IPND condemned this act of barbarism by some political elements from Yoruba tribe, they called on the government of Nigeria and the international communities, most especially the European Union (EU), United States of America (USA), Government of Canada, UK Government etc to intervene before it is too late.

"It is important to state here that Igbo in Yoruba does not just mean Igbo people from South East Nigeria. It means everyone from South South and South East geopolitical zones.

"The attacks of people in the Lagos elections is not just against Igbo people but everyone from the South South and South East. Most Yorubas, especially the uneducated thugs that are used to execute the attacks do not know the difference between Igbo, Urhobo, Ijaw, Ibibio, Erik, Bini, Isan, etc. As long as you are not Yoruba speaking and you are from Southern Nigeria, then you are considered to be an Igbo," he declared.

Also important, he said, that apart from the international oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, those with the highest number of oil blocks are Yorubas. Pointing out that to state that the work force in the oil and gas industry operating in the Niger Delta has Yorubas and the largest population.

IPND in a press statement available to ITREALMS read:

"Our people have not exhibited any form of crude ethnic hatred or xenophobic attacks against the Yorubas any day. There are Yoruba settlements within the South South and South East and there is no time, when they are attacked during elections and stopped from voting in elections day.

"The Indigenous People of Niger Delta (IPND) hereby in strong terms state that what happened in Lagos State Elections is not just a declaration of war against our people but evil against humanity. All those behind the de-tasteful evil against human civilization must be brought to book for peace, security and justice to reign in Nigeria and in the world in general.

"Elections is used to demonstrate free will of citizens and residence of a community or State for those who they want to govern them in free, fair, credible and peaceful manner. Election is not war.

"... Our peaceful nature and hospitality should not be taken for cowardice. The peace loving people of Yoruba, most especially their traditional leaders and Afenifere should call those perpetrating evils with the name of Yoruba to order before they cause ethnic war in Nigeria."

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor