We the Niger Delta Coalition for Sustainable Development, (NDCSD), a foremost Coalition that has been a voice of the people of the region since 2012, hereby express deep disappointment over the current condition of Nigeria and Nigerians, since independence including the Civil War of 1967-1970 never experienced this hunger situation Nigerians are facing since the APC government took power.
We urgently conveyed our meeting led by Comr James Ebiowei Brown, National Coordinator and National Organizing Secretary, Excel Toriomo of the group in the creeks of the Niger Delta to come up with our position on the proposed national protest by critical stakeholders across the nine Niger Delta States, therefore, we unanimously declare our total support to the proposed 1st of August nationwide protest without apology.
We have already set out all our machineries in motion and at the same time this is to inform Mr. President and his administration that we are ready, because we can no longer watch our people die of hunger and starvation, enough is enough in this ill-treatment and inhuman hearted administration.
We will not support oppression, injustice and nepotism, we will stand for what is right and we will fight those who support this government against the will of the people, hence this statement we are issuing today on the subject matter of the national protest for August 1, 2024.
We can no longer allow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Administration to take Nigerians for a ride, enough is enough!! He has made the worst of appointments which are all lopsided and tribalistic at the detriment of a united Nigeria. The sheer impunity in appointment has divided our country than ever, and it is the worst where only Yorubas are occupying all positions.
We want to let Nigerians know that President Tinubu is aware that he is not a monopoly of protest therefore does not have the moral standing to stop the protest Nigerians want to embark on August 1, 2024.
We are in support of the protest and we have given instructions to all our structures in the Niger Delta States and other youth organizations across the country including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja that we are encouraging them to come out to vent out their displeasure with the way and manner this administration has treated Nigerians, whereby we have lost our youths to the ‘Japa’ Syndrome on daily basis.
REASONS FOR SUPPORT OF PROTEST
First, Nigerians have never experienced the degree of hunger in the land, and this has led to heightened insecurity, high cost of foodstuff in the market, whereby the common man is denied his food and families are now selling their property and children to survive, stealing, while some are dying of hunger daily, and we will not allow this to continue.
Second, the current inflation is terribly abnormal without solution, and this has killed countless businesses, and Nigerians have lost their jobs and their suffering is compounded. It is not going to be allowed any more.
Third, Fuel pump price, the scam call subsidy removal is has destroyed the economy of this country, and all the prices of goods and services have skyrocketed, therefore, Nigerians cannot breathe.
Fourth, Minimum wage, this is a sheer oppression to force this meagre sum of N70,000 down the throat of Nigerian workers that cannot even buy a bag of rice, and this pay is a ridicule of the hard working Nigerian worker, and we reject it.
Fifth, collapsed power generation and supply, this failure of government had made the economy to be on snail speed, therefore, scares investors, which many have left the country, while others do not want to come in any longer, and small businesses are dying, and Nigerians paying high electricity tariff while in darkness.
Others are bad roads; Budget padding;. INEC rigging of election with impunity; Highest cost of governance; Highest bidder appointments; Excessive borrowings for looting; Crude oil theft; Dysfuntional functional refineries; Excess electricity & erratic tariffs; Excessive bank charges; Resource control; 1999 constitution; Need for restructuring restructuring; Consumption instead of production; Arable farmland without subsidized mechanized farming equipment; Breakdown of law and order; Injustices at the courts; Failed civil service system; Non-functional educational system; Japa syndrome; Corruption; Unaccountability of public office holders; Poor road networks; Worst housing programme; Non real estate funding Interest rates for entrepreneurs; Devastating economic policies; Looting and lootocracy Growing division amongst ethnic groups35. Naira devaluation36. Poverty; Lack of support for local manufacturers and local contents; Highest import duties ever; Underfunded army and police; Salaries and pension delays, and among others.
SHOULD THEIR BE SHOW OF FORCE ON PEACEFUL PROTESTERS BY SECURITY AGENCIES OR SPONSORED GROUPS.
We will shut down the NNPCL facilities and force oil companies to leave the region.
We also will storm NNPCL Towers in Abuja to ensure the sack of Engr Mele Kyari who have done this country evil than good.
We will also storm the National Assembly and ensure Senator Godswill Akpabio is sacked as Senate President because we have rejected and pass vote of no confidence on him, the National Assembly should immediately sack him for unethical practices as Senate President.
OUR DEMANDS
President Bola Tinubu should immediately tackle these destructive policies in the best interest of a comatose economy.
The President should reverse the destructive scam fuel subsidy removal back to where it was.
Signed for others by:
Comr James Ebiowei Brown, National Coordinator,
Excel Toriomo
National Organizing Secretary.
Niger Delta Coalition for Sustainable Development (NDCSD)
