Brave Dickson
The people of the Ijaw ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta Region have accused President Muhammadu Buhari of running a draconian led federal government.
The Ijaws made the accusation, following the recent assent to the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill by Buhari.
In a chat with our correspondent, the National President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Kenedy West said Buhari does not mean well for the oil producing Niger Delta.
“President Buhari is insensitive to the plight of the oil producing Niger Delta Region.
“He (Buhari) does not deserve our commendation over the signing of the Petroleum Industry Bill into law.
“Buhari’s government is full of draconian policies against the Southerners.
“The PIB was originally meant to strike a balance between host communities, oil multinationals and the federal government but what Buhari signed into law is against the wish and expectation of the Niger Delta people.
“When the PIB became controversial on issue of whether to give three or five percent to oil producing communities, we expected Buhari to have consulted the leaders of our region to know the percentage that would serve our interest before assenting the bill.
“But Buhari ignored our interest and hurriedly assent the PIB just because the PIB earmarks 30 percent of oil proceeds for the exploration of oil in the North where the president hails from.”
The MOSIEND president therefore urged the people of the Niger Delta Region to close ranks and start working for the interest of their region.