– Annkio Briggs, a Niger Delta activist, says there is no war in the Niger delta, rather what obtains is the people’s reaction to years of neglect
– She says the federal government is insincere with the development of the region as it pays lip service to the development quest of the people
– She added that government should listen to the demands of the people rather than looking for credible leaders beyond the ones already discussing with them
Annkio Briggs, an environmental and human rights activist, has said that there is no war in the Niger Delta but what obtains in the region is the reaction of the people to the over 50 years neglect, abuse, injustice and oppression meted on the people by the successive governments of Nigeria.
Annkio Briggs, Niger delta activist
Briggs, a vociferous activist, described as false the federal government’s claim of searching for peace in the region, rather she said the government should accept the responsibility it owes the people of the region by listening to the demands of the Niger Delta people.
She spoke on the backdrop of the anticipated visit of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to the coastal communities, especially home of the much wanted former militant commander, Government Ekpemukpolo, also known as Tompolo.
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She said the federal government has right to visit anywhere in the country for whatever reason but condemned the insincerity of the
She explained that: “It is rather unfortunate and insincere for the federal government to say it is looking for credible leaders. It is another way of running away from the reality it must face.
“Niger Delta is made up of over 30 different nationalities and it is these nationalities and only they that have the sole rights to determine who is a credible leader to them from their nationalities and not the federal government.
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“For instance, in Rivers State we have different nationalities from all the six Niger Delta states (South-south geo-political zone). Every state has different nationalities, except in Bayelsa where all are Ijaw.
“Therefore, in Delta for instance, will the Ijaw man speak for the Isoko man? Will the Urhobo man speak for the Itsekiri man? In my own beloved Rivers state, will the Ijaw man speak for the Ikwerre man, or will the Ogoni man speak for the Egi man”.
360naze
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