The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan not to succumb to the pressure of using maximum force to halt the activities of Boko Haram, and other security challenges in the country.
The body advised Jonathan to continue with his efforts at tackling the nation’s security challenges through the rule of law and by re-building intelligence gathering capacity and operational professionalism of security institutions.
In a communiqué issued at the end a meeting of the National Leaders Forum of the IYC, held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, the youths said tackling the problem in their recommended fashion was the only way of sustaining and strengthening the democratic culture in Nigeria.
The communiqué was signed by Miabiye Kuromiema, National President, Hamilton Opuende Hart; Chairman, Eastern Zone, Savior Olali; Chairman, Central Zone, Preye Okaba; Chairman, Western Zone and six others.
They reminded him of the consequences of using excessive force to tackle the security challenges considering the painful experience of people who had witnessed such brutish force in the past.
It reads in parts: “The Ijaw Youth Council urges Mr. President not to be dragged into use of ‘brutish power’ but to continue to approach the security challenges and abrasive opposition and landmines against his person and administration from the stand point of ‘smart power.’
“The Ijaw people remind him that we have had painful experiences with military action against our people and land by military operations under previous administrations.? Our experiences and pains in Odi, Gbaramatu, Odioma, Tombia, Ayakoromor and several others still have its scares in our hearts, minds and communities.
“The Ogoni people, the Igbo people at the Civil War and Umuechem people of Ikwerre, the Zak-Ibiam and many other Nigerians can tell their tales. We do not wish same to our worst enemies as we have no enemies.”