By Simon Begbulem
BENIN—IJAW youths in Edo State have threatened to shut down all companies operating in their area if their kinsman was not made Edo State representative on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

In a statement by their leader, Mr. Andrew Igiri, they alleged marginali-sation in the politics of the state and appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the matter to avoid crisis.

The statement read: “It has become a common practice of every successive government in Edo State to marginalise and oppress the Ijaw in the state.

“For the sake of fairness and equity, the Governor of Edo State is from Edo North, the Deputy is from Edo South while other positions were shared equitably among the three senatorial districts. But the same cannot be said about Ijaw.

“It is not possible for one person to take first and second at the same time. Let an Ijaw man be considered as the NDDC representative of the state.

“Besides most of Bini that have held the position failed the people of the oil- producing communities.

“We appeal to President Jonathan to make this possible so that projects are executed in the three oil-producing local governments in the state.

“If an Ijaw man is not given the position, we will have no option than to shut down all companies working in Ijaw areas because enough is enough.”