There was drama at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday, as leaders under the aegis of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, had their flight to Makurdi allegedly aborted by the Nigerian Air Force, which denied the flight landing rights in the Benue State capital.
The leaders were to travel to Makurdi to participate in the Middle Belt conference which held yesterday.
It was learned that after waiting for several hours to get clearance from Makurdi Airport Commandant, Lt. Col. A. Audu, for an approved landing permit for the aircraft to no avail, the leaders aborted their flight.
Addressing journalists, today, on the incident, Vice-chairman of the Ijaw Youths Council, Comr. Amiebi , who described the action of the government as an infringement on their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution, however, decried what he described as serious violation of the fundamental human rights of Ijaw Leaders and elders to freely associate, travel, and express themselves.
However, According to the leaders, the aircraft chartered by them to join other leaders in Makurdi was grounded on the premise that the landing permit at Makurdi airport was not approved.
Comr. Amiebi Turner, who condemned the action, warned that the nation was gradually sliding into chaos, anarchy and military form of government.
Amiebi Narrated, "Each of the component units of this organization has held a summit of their leaders expressing their support for this policy. The first was held in the South West in the ancient city of Ibadan. The next was held in Yenegoa in the South-South region of Nigeria.
"The next was held in Awka where the South East expressed its support for the restructuring of the federation. The last of the zones to hold its rally was the rally holding (yesterday) in Makurdi by the Middle Belt.
Comr. Amiebi Turner vehemently stated the position of the Ijaw Youths Council on the call for restructuring Nigeria, " We are steadfast in this regards, we will continue to join forces with Ijaw Leaders , such as Gov. Henry Seriake Dickson, Pa. Edwin Clarke and various leaders to make the case for restructuring, we will never be deterred by the plots of Pres. Buhari Led APC govt to disrupt us, at this time when the Nigerian system is falling, we must strive to sustain our resources, create wealth, maintain our environment, devolve powers and manage our resources, through restructuring. Then the Federal government should rise up to embrace restructuring rather than attempt to frustrate crusaders of this call".
We are not happy at manner in which our leaders were treated like second class citizens in Nigeria, it is breaches the rights of freedom of movement and association provision in the Nigerian Constitution which the Government swore an to defend and an attempt to muscle the efforts of Ijaw People from clamouring for restructuring.
He expressed his disappointed in Nigerian Air Force for acting the scripts of the Federal government, defining their actions Against Ijaw leaders and other Regional leaders from attending the rally as unprofessional, unhealthy and unruly, adding that it is the duty of Nigerian Air Force to serve the Nigerian people. He advised the Federal Government to provide a level playing ground for all regions in the country.
Amiebi ended his remark, by reiterating the support of the IYC on restructuring, and further commended Gov. Henry Seriake Dickson ,who has been championing this call in almost every region of the country, giving public lectures to enable Nigerians buy the idea of restructuring.
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