JUST IN: Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Writes President Tinubu, Calls For Termination Of Olu Of ltsekiri’s Pipeline Surveillance Contract Over Breach Of Contract Agreement -

By Uche Alvin

Yenagoa __ Ex-agitators of the Niger Delta region under the aegis of Aggrieved Freedom Fighters Forum (AFFF), has written a petition to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to terminate pipeline security surveillance contact awarded to Pipeline lnfrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) belonging to the Olu of ltsekiri, HRM. Shola Emiko over alleged breach of contract agreement and lack of performance ranging from marginalization of host community youths/stakeholders in terms of employment, persistent rampant bunkering activities secretly ongoing, sponsoring of tribal conflicts, forceful land grabbing and renaming of ljaw communities, territorial claims over ljaw lands among others that is capable of igniting crisis in the once peaceful Niger Delta region.

This was disclosed in an open letter addressed to president Tinubu signed by the leader of the aggrieved ex-agitators of Niger Delta freedom fighters, Seiyifa Gbedeke, popularly known as Don (Gen) Cairo, calling on NNPCL to immediately revoke the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to PINL in order to prevent the eruption of renewed crisis in the Niger Delta region that will be disastrous to the economy of the nation.

According to the petition letter, read below;

The President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria,
His Excellency,
Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
Presidential Villa Aso Rock.

Your Excellency Sir,
COMPLAINT/PETITION NOTICE TO QUIT IJAW TERRITORIES IN THE NIGER DELTA

We, the undersigned group, the Aggrieved Freedom Fighters Forum (AFFF), respectfully write to you concerning the excesses and lack of capacity demonstrated by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), a private company allegedly owned and managed by the monarch of the Itsekiri Kingdom, His Majesty Olu Shola Emiko.

Sir, the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to PINL through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) covers approximately 80% of Ijaw territories across the Niger Delta.
As already aggrieved stakeholders in the region, we express our deep dissatisfaction with the manner in which this contract is being executed.
Our petition, complaint, and notice to quit are based on the following reasons:

Marginalization of Host Community Youths:

The Itsekiri monarch company (PINL) has consistently failed to employ youths from the host Ijaw Communities, who are the rightful stakeholders and custodians of the land.

Rampant Bunkering Activities:

Major crude oil theft and illegal bunkering are being carried out unchecked across the pipelines under the surveillance of PINL.

Sponsoring Tribal Conflict:

Funds from the NNPCL contract are reportedly being used to incite ethnic tensions and sponsor conflict. A notable example is the recent arrest of a British national, found in possession of 50 AK-47 rifles, who is known to be a close associate of the Itsekiri monarch.

Forceful Renaming of Ijaw Communities:

PINL, through its influence and funding, is allegedly involved in the forceful renaming of historically Ijaw towns and villages.

Examples include:
Okenrenkoko renamed as Okenrenghigho,

Oporoza renamed as Opuraza,
Azama renamed as Azatiton.

These examples represent only a fraction of such actions that disrespect and distort Ijaw heritage and identity.

Territorial Claims over Ijaw and Urhobo Lands:

The Itsekiri monarch is allegedly laying claim to vast areas historically and culturally belonging to both the Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Delta State.

Conclusion:

These disturbing developments indicate a clear incapacity and misuse of authority by the Itsekiri monarch in handling contracts within Ijaw territories. We view this as a deliberate provocation and an attempt to subjugate indigenous communities.

We therefore call on your esteemed office to immediately revoke the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to PINL in order to prevent the eruption of a fresh crisis in the Niger Delta, one which could have serious national implications.
Thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,

Seiyifa Gbedeke, aka Don (Gen.) Cairo, Leader Aggrieved Freedom Fighters Forum of Niger Delta.

Details Of The Letter Below: