The Indigenous People of Niger Delta (IPND), has described the attacks on non-Yoruba orchestrated by some Yoruba political leaders in Lagos during the general elections as “a declaration of war and evil against the political rights of the residents of Lagos.
In a statement by Tiemo Pumokumo, President-General, IPND, they called on Yoruba leaders, the Afenifere and the international community to step in, fish out those who instigated such orgy or violence and bring them to book, “before it is too late”.
The group noted that not only were the Igbo attacked, but anyone who does not speak Yoruba, was brutally attacked, this dehumanising innocent citizens and creating needless ethnic tension.
They stated that even though Yoruba people own most of the oil blocks in the Niger-Delta and work in all the oil extracting and processing firms in the Niger-Delta, at no time were they molested.
They equally noted that even though the Yoruba benefit more from the oil and other natural resources in the Niger-Delta, more than their own people, they have never been given the red card, wondering why they attacks on election days.
They statement by the IPND reads: “We have watched with sadness the Governorship and House of Assembly Election in Lagos that follow same process with the Presidential and National Assembly Elections as they were used by some political elements from Yoruba tribe as declaration of war against our people and fellow citizens.
“As we condemn this act of barbarism by some political elements from Yoruba tribe, we hereby call on the Government of Nigeria and the International Communities, most especially the EU, USA, Government of Canada, UK Government etc to intervene before it is too late.
“It is important to state here that Ibo in Yoruba does not just mean Igbo people from South East Nigeria.
“It means everyone from South-South and South-East geological zones.
The attacks of people in the Lagos elections is not just against Igbo people, but everyone from the South-South and South-East.
“Most Yorubas, most especially the uneducated thugs, that were used to execute the attacks, do not know the difference between Igbo, Urhobo, Ijaw, Ibibio, Erik, Bini, Isan, Etc.
“As long as you are not Yoruba speaking and you are from Southern Nigeria, then, you are considered to be an Igbo.
“Also, important to add that apart from the international oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, those with the highest number of Oil blocks are Yorubas.
“Also, important to state, that the work force in the oil and gas industry operating in the Niger-Delta has Yorubas and the largest population.
“Our people have not exhibited any form of crude ethnic hatred or xenophobic attacks against the Yoruba any day.
“There are Yoruba settlements within the South-South and South-East and there is no time, when they were attacked during elections and stopped from voting on elections day.
“The Indigenous People of Niger-Delta (IPND) hereby in strong terms state that what happened in Lagos State Elections is not just a declaration of war against our people but evil against humanity.
“All those behind the de-tasteful evil against human civilization must be brought to book for peace, security and justice to reign in Nigeria and in the world in general.
“Elections is used to demonstrate free will of citizens and residence of a community or state for those who they want to govern them in free, fair, credible and peaceful manner. Election is not war.
“Eko was the war camp of the Bini tribe from the Niger-Delta. It shall remain home of the Indigenous People of Niger-Delta (IPND).
“Our peaceful nature and hospitality should not be taken for cowardice.
The peace loving people of Yoruba, most especially, their traditional leaders and Afenifere, should call these perpetrating evils with the name of Yoruba to order before they cause ethnic war in Nigeria,” the group stated.
