N-Delta Activist Akiefa Warns Itsekiris to Steer Clear of Tompolo, Dennis Otuaro, Ijaw Affairs

N-Delta Activist Akiefa Warns Itsekiris to Steer Clear of Tompolo, Dennis Otuaro, Ijaw Affairs

 


By Ezekiel Kagbala 


A prominent youth leader under the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Chief (Comrade) Frank Akiefa has issued a stern warning to the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, urging them to distance themselves from Ijaw affairs. His remarks come in the wake of rising tensions surrounding Niger Delta's influential figures, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo and the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro, both of whom play significant roles in the ongoing peace efforts in the region.

Akiefa in a statement he personally signed copies of which were made available to newsmen in Warri on Tuesday, cautioned that, "Any interference by the Itsekiris in Ijaw matters or blackmail of any Ijaw leader especially Dennis Otuaro and Tompolo could lead to outright confrontations, 

"My attention has been drawn to a statement accredited to an undocumented and faceless group tagged as 'pro Itsekiri organisation, Warri Media Group' stating that Dennis Otuaro's participation in the celebration of Isaac Boro Day in Warri was provocative.       

"While another group, Warri Concerned Youths for Peace accused Tompolo of exacerbating tensions in Warri, Itsekiris may have considered Ijaws to be weak for not dealing decisively with them for daring. By this warning if the Itsekiris continue to blackmail Tompolo, Otuaro and other Ijaw leaders or meddle into Ijaw issues, there will be an appropriate action".

Akiefa further stated that  "unwarranted blackmail and misinformation campaigns" directed at Ijaw leaders by members of the Itsekiri groups   could lead strict measures.


"We will not sit idly by while our leaders are attacked and undermined," Akiefa declared. "The Itsekiris must understand that any interference in our affairs, especially the blackmail of respected figures like Dennis Otuaro and Tompolo, will not be tolerated. We are prepared to defend our own and we will not shy away from confrontation if necessary."

"It is a known fact that the Itsekiris are troublesome to their neighbors and have been spreading lies and hate against the Ijaw people," Akiefa stated. "We urge them to cease this campaign of hate and focus on solving their self inflicted problems.

"We are not looking for conflict, but we will not back down from defending our rights and our leaders,"