Attack on Itsekiri Youths: IYGG accuses officials of Arise News, INEC of leaking protest notification to ex-militants

The Itsekiri Youth for Good Governance, IYGG, has accused officials of Arise News and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC of leaking private protest notification letter to Ijaw ex-militants, resulting in the attack of peaceful Itsekiri protesters at INEC headquarters in Abuja, Monday May 25.

IYGG, hinged its accusation on the protest notification letter officially written and sent to Arise News and INEC by Itsekiri youths.

The group, in a press statement authored by Comrade Mone Oris and Comrade Sam Oki Metsh, claimed that it was becoming obvious that certain officials within INEC and Arise News, are collaborating with militant interests from the Niger Delta, to intimidate, suppress and silence the legitimate concerns of the Itsekiri people, over the perceived fraudulent delineation exercise for Warri Federal Constituency.  

Whilst condemning the reported violent attack carried out against peaceful and innocent Itsekiri youths, IYGG, in the statement made available to Fresh Angle International, Tuesday May 26, noted that INEC has failed to explain or apologize, “for the shocking inclusion and importation of communities from Edo State, Ondo State, and even Udu Local Government Area, a completely separate federal constituency, into the Warri Federal Constituency delineation proposal.”

The statement, reads: “The Itsekiri Youth for Good Governance (IYGG) strongly condemns the violent attack carried out against peaceful and innocent Itsekiri youths, who exercised their constitutional right to protest against the fraudulent ward delineation proposal imposed on the Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“It is shocking and disgraceful that a private protest notification letter officially written and sent to Arise News and INEC Nigeria by Itsekiri youths, was allegedly leaked by INEC and Arise News officials to Ijaw ex-militants, who subsequently published the letter online and mobilized hoodlums against peaceful Itsekiri protesters.

“We ask Nigerians and the international community: Which responsible government institution, private news media or electoral commission releases confidential correspondence from an ethnic youth organization to rival ethnic groups for public circulation and possible violent retaliation? This disturbing action raises serious questions about the neutrality, integrity, and credibility of INEC in the ongoing Warri ward delineation crisis.

“It is becoming increasingly obvious that certain officials within INEC and Arise News are collaborating with militant interests from the Niger Delta to intimidate, suppress, and silence the legitimate concerns of the Itsekiri people over the fraudulent delineation exercise.

“We are particularly disturbed by the alleged role being played by Professor Rhoda Gumus, who many believe has abandoned professional neutrality and is allegedly working to protect ethnic interests connected to her affiliations and relationships with ex-militant elements in the region. Public institutions must never be turned into ethnic instruments against indigenous communities.

“The conduct of the INEC Chairman has continued to damage public confidence in the electoral body. Till date, INEC has failed to explain or apologize for the shocking inclusion and importation of communities from Edo State, Ondo State, and even Udu Local Government Area, a completely separate federal constituency, into the Warri Federal Constituency delineation proposal.

“Such actions are not mere administrative errors; they represent a dangerous and calculated attempt to alter the demographic and political realities of Warri Federal Constituency through fraudulent means. Rather than correcting these irregularities, INEC appears determined to impose and legitimize this injustice on the Itsekiri people.

“The Itsekiri people are peaceful, law-abiding, and committed to democratic principles, but we will continue to resist every attempt to steal our ancestral identity, political rights, and territorial heritage through manipulation and intimidation.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the international community to immediately investigate the role of INEC officials in this crisis and prevent further escalation capable of threatening peace and stability in the Niger Delta. Enough is enough.”

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