The Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum (NDENYLF) has condemned what it sees as organised efforts to undermine the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and political leaders from the southern parts of Nigeria.
A press statement by the body signed by the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) President, Jonathan Lokpobiri, particularly condemned “targeted personal attacks” on Senator Akpabio.
The forum recalled a pattern of unjustified criticism and plots against such prominent Southern figures as former Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan; ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice, Walter Onneghen, and former acting Director General of the Department of State Security Service, Dr. Matthew Seiyefa, among others.
The youth leaders showed a demarcation between the treatment of Southern and Northern political leaders, citing the uninterrupted eight-year tenure of Senator David Mark as Senate President from the North.
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They contrasted how the current Southern-led Senate is facing resistance, particularly from the Northern region.
The leaders expressed concern over recent developments involving the current Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who hails from the South.
They warned that any attempt to undermine or impeach Senator Akpabio would be met with “serious consequences.”
The forum further criticised those who have attempted to misconstrue Senator Akpabio’s informal remarks during a recent address in Port Harcourt, where he urged his kinsmen to remain peaceful and avoid violent protests, dismissing the criticisms as “preposterous.”
While acknowledging the harsh economic realities faced by Nigerians, the youth leaders blamed the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to them, the Buhari administration is accused of laying the foundation for the country’s current economic challenges especially the unexplainable borrowings and mismanagement of the nation’s resources.
The forum, therefore, pledged their support to Senator Akpabio and other Southern leaders, and urged Nigerians to unite for the betterment of the country.
They used the forum to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other national leaders to address the genuine needs of Nigerians urgently.
“Long live Nigeria,’’ reflecting the forum’s commitment to the ‘‘nation’s unity and progress,’’ the statement added.
