Why Buhari should lead FG’s negotiation team with Niger Delta – IYC

Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, an umbrella body of the Ijaw youths has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to spearhead the Federal Government’s negotiation team with the Niger Delta people if he wants an end to vandalism in the region.

In a statement by its spokesman, Eric Omare, IYC maintained that it’s in support of dialogue aimed at finding a lasting solution to the problem in the region. The group said, “What is required is not just an appeal but for him (Buhari) to led the dialogue with the Niger Delta people towards finding a lasting solution to the recurring militancy in the region.

 “President Buhari must come to the negotiation table with stakeholders in the Niger Delta as was done by his predecessors rather than through his subordinates.

“The IYC is also of the view that the perceived multiplicity of militant groups in the region as stated by President Buhari is not an obstacle to engagement with stakeholders. The sort of engagement the IYC expects from the Federal Government is a holistic dialogue with stakeholders in the region.“And strongly with a view to finding a lasting solution to the root causes of militancy and other agitations, rather than engaging with a view to giving palliatives to present agitators without addressing the issues responsible for the recurring agitations as was done in the past.

“The IYC would only support a dialogue that is geared towards addressing the fundamental issues responsible for militancy in the Niger Delta.

“Therefore, we call on President Buhari to put his appeal to action by starting the process of genuine and serious engagement with the Niger Delta people with a view to addressing the Niger Delta agitation for resource control once and for all.”