IYC, others back Brambaifa’s appointment

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Bodies (CNDYB), Ijaw Unity and Peace Committee (IUPC) and ex-militants have hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of Prof. Nelson Brambaifa as acting managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

IYC and the others urged those against the appointment to sheathe their swords.

Tare Porri, who chairs IYC, spoke at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.

He said Braimbaifa, an Ijaw man, deserved the support of Ijaw people, and advised those against him from Bayelsa to desist and mobilise for his success.

“We have just been told that some persons are not satisfied with his appointment. We want to say that the Ijaw cannot be more blessed than now. God has given us an Ijaw man to head the commission.

“So, I call on Ijaw leaders to mobilise support for Prof. Brambaifa as MD. When a man from Akwa Ibom was MD, the state and people of Akwa Ibom mobilised support for him. That should be our case.”

Also, ex-militants under the Third Phase Ex-Agitators, warned those planning to protest against Brambaifa’s appointment to stop.

Its Chairman, Osaanya B. Osaanya, described them as devillish, advising Bayelsans to stay away from them.

He said: “We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Prof. Brambaifa from Bayelsa State to head NDDC. He is more than qualified to occupy the position. We, as ex-agitators, call on Bayelsans to be wary and run away from devillish people who don’t mean well for our state. We will stand against any form of oppression against the will of the people.”

The CNDYB, in a statement by its Coordinator, Ayebakuro Igbeta, described Brambaifa as an astute professional with the ability to administer the commission’s affairs.

Igbeta said: “The coalition, on behalf of the people, praised President Muhammadu Buhari for laying to rest the disturbing issue of NDDC tenure. It cannot be overemphasised that the issue was beginning to brew disaffection and acrimony among the people. This appointment has rested burning questions on the integrity and sincerity of the President Buhari-led Federal Government.”

IUPC’s convener Justin Ogboma said the appointment showed the sincerity and commitment of the President to develop the region.

“The decision to appoint Brambaifa is worth commending, as he is one man with honesty, commitment and all-embracing. We are confident that instead of causing disaffection, Brambaifa will build bridges and utilise the position to advance your good work in our region,” he said,

Also, militants, who identified themselves as the Strike Force of MEND, threatened resistance if the Presidency yielded to selfish demands by replacing or removing Brambaifa.

They said Brambaifa’s appointment was a product of the cries, protests, agitation and sacrifices of Ijaw, who refused to be cowed by fear, death or intimidation.

Their spokesperson, Capt. Jhoto Koankiri, advised the Presidency to jettison desperate moves capable of destabilising peace in the region.

Koankiri said: “The greedy politicians of Ijaw should bury their heads in shame for trying to hinder Prof. Brambaifa’s appointment. We know that some people close to the Presidency are trying to use their position to thwart Brambaifa’s confirmation as substantive MD of NDDC, but we assure these unpatriotic politicians that we are ready for them.

“Their antics must fail and we are now telling the President to ignore these selfish people as their opinion does not represent the people of the Ijaw.

“But if the government is tempted to be swayed by these people, we are ready to express our solid stand with visible signs for all to see. Any moves to replace Brambaifa will meet resistance from our ranks and comrades.”