By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the intervention of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, the Ogoni Youth Federation alongside other youth groups in the Niger Delta such as the ljaw Youth Council (IYC) Eastern Zone, the Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition have suspended the planned “mother of all protest season 2” earlier scheduled to take place on Tuesday the 1st of March, 2022.
The protest was hinged on the need to compel the federal government to expedite work on the deplorable Ogoni axis of the East – West Road Section III (Eleme Junction-Onne).
According to statement signed by leaders of the groups, Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana,
President-General Ogoni Youth Federation, Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana, Comrade Ibim Ibiwari, Chairman, IYC, Eastern Zone,Tamunobele Tamunoimama, Secretary-General, Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition and Prince Mahmoud Kirika,
Leader, Ogoni Ex-militants said the decision to suspend the protest was reached today on Friday at a meeting held at the Rivers State Police Headquarters, Moscow Road, at the instance of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, together with officials of the Federal Ministry of Niger Affairs, the contractor, Reynolds Construction Company, the Chairman of Eleme Local Government Council, and Executives of Ogoni Youth Federation; ljaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone; Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition; Ogoni Ex-militants Forum and other participating groups.
It said: “The protest is being put on hold due to the undertaking signed by the Rivers State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to commence construction of the road within a period of one month commencing from March 1, 2022”.
The statement urged Ogoni, Niger Delta youths and other lovers of sustainable development who were in solidarity with the move to stay calm and return to base for a period of one month, as “we give them a benefit of doubt and explore other strategies for this same advocacy in the collective interest of all stakeholders and the overall development of our people”.
