Volunteer youths of the Urhobo Nation under the aegis of Coalition of Urhobo Nation Youth Leaders and Stakeholders (CUNYLS) have demanded that President Goodluck Jonathan should be re-elected in the 2015 general election.
The youths led by a civil rights activist, Mr. Rex Anigboro, tabled the demand when they went on a peaceful protest march to the Asokoro residence of elder statesman and a first Republic Minister of information, Chief Edwin Clark and leader of aniger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari alleging marginalization in federal appointments.
They also demanded the freedom of incarcerated former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori who is serving imprisonment in United Kingdom.
Other demands include creation of Urhobo State, ministerial and other federal appointments for qualified Urhobos people and pardon for Kelvin Onairah and Justice for the extra Judicially murdered of Chief Ogbe Onokpite who was buried just last December two years after his assassination.
The Urhobo youths adorned in colorful T- shirts with inscription “Proudly Urhobo” defied heavy security challenges and walked the streets of Abuja peacefully.
Some of the placards has inscriptions such as “2015, on Goodluck Jonathan we stand”, “Mr. President Urhobo Youths supports National Conference”, “Urhobo demands her right of place and due recognition”, Delta 2015, Urhobo governorship Non-negotiable ” and “Mr. President, Urhobo youths plead for the release of James Ibori, pardon please.”
Others are “Mr. President, please do not undermine the over three million Urhobo nation votes, “We demand Justice for the extra judicially murdered Ogbe Onokpite” Mr. President, Urhobo nation deserves ministerial and other federal appointments” Urhobo youths demand for the freedom of Kelvin Onairah” and Urhobo Nation the fifth largest ethnic group have little or no federal presence, we demand a better deal.”
The youths stated that the Urhobo Nation feels grossly marginalized and utterly neglected also made it known that there is great disillusionment and disenchantment in Urhobo Nation over near erosion of Urhobo economy and politcal relevance. The Youth asserted that it seems to be a collective conspiracy and calculated malice to expire Urhobo Pride of Place.
Speaking at the residence of Papa E.K Clark, Comrade Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro declared on behalf of the youths their continuous unwavering support for the Presidency of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan whom they considered as the symbol of equal opportunity for all and freedom from dominance by self styled born to rule proponents.
The youths also called on him to make haste to declare his intention to re contest as in their opinion he is the best performing President Nigeria has ever had,they also called on former head of States and Presidents to queue behind him for his re election and refrain from unstatemantly acts suggestive of mischief and blackmail. They however demanded for Urhobo nation to be recognised as equal developmental partners in the Nigeria Union.
The youths who also spoke with Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari cheered when Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari informed that he and others are at the forefront for demanding for the negotiated release for Chief James Ibori, he expressed hopes on the release of Chief James Onanefe Ibori and promised also to champion the cause for the release of Kelvin Onairah also.
Continuing at a press briefing, the Urhobo youths eulogized Hon. Kingsley Kuku whom they commended his performance as Special Adviser on Niger Delta to Mr. President, they also stated that his management of the Amnesty Program is very remarkable. Comrade Rex Ekiugbo Anighoro urged him to do more for the people of Niger Delta and the Nigerian Union, noting that he is one of the outstanding performer in the Dr. Goodluck Administration.He thanked him for been accessible and for building bridges of mutual respect and co existence amongst the people of Niger Delta through his office.
The youths also declared their support for the National Conference holding that it is a necessary step of engaging the people of the Nigerian Union in discussing their collective existence as a people, arguing that all issues including the divisibility of Nigeria ought to be discussed.
