We’ll renegotiate our coexistence in Nigeria —IJAW NATION

Yenagoa—Eminent sons and daughters of the Ijaw nation have agreed to re-examine the state of the Ijaw ethnic nationality in Nigeria, noting that they will immediately initiate the process of renegotiating the basis of their coexistence with other ethnic nationalities.

They disclosed this position at a Pan Ijaw Stakeholders Summit with the theme “The Ijaw Agenda Beyond May 29, 2015,” held between May 27-29, at Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre and Ijaw House, Yenogua, the Bayelsa State capital.

Co-hosted by the Ijaw National Congress, INC, and the Bayelsa State Government, the event  which witnessed the presentation of papers by notable Ijaw scholars and other resource persons, was graced by more than 1, 500 people  drawn from 78 Ijaw clans, traditional institutions, professional and socio-political bodies among others.

The summit in a 13-point communiqué, signed by its Chairman, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa and Secretary, Pastor Power Aginighan, however, thanked Nigerians for the rare opportunity given Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to preside over the affairs of the country.

Among other things the Summit noted that “the Ijaw nation today is at a critical moment in its history and called on all Ijaw leaders, sons and daughters to be united at this auspicious moment for the challenges ahead, adding that “it has expressed its desire for self determination, total rejection of the unjust legal order that robs resource owners of rights to their resources.”