… As planned protest attracts opposition from Finima youths
There would be no acts of violence at the proposed protest in Bonny Monday morning, so assures Edward Hart, chairman, Bonny Kingdom Development Committee (BKDC).
The chairman made the clarification Sunday night saying the planned protest expected to take place in Bonny town in Rivers State was a kingdom-wide affair.
This is as the protest seems to create anxiety requiring clarifications.
In a statement issued in Bonny Sunday night, the Bonny Kingdom Development Committee (BKDC) Edward Hart said the protest was aimed at pressing the needs of the kingdom to be addressed by the international oil corporations (IOCs) in Bonny.
The splinter group known as the Finima Youth Congress (FYC) had issued a statement opposing the planned protest calling it an invasion of Finima by Bonny.
Reacting, the BKDC accused the Buoye Omuso Brown House of distancing themselves and Finima Community from the protest and sought to clarify that the protest is a kingdom-wide affair involving all facets of Bonny Kingdom given that the issues under review which would be made public during the protest were broad in their effect and impact.
The statement said: “That Finima Community is one of the several communities that make up Bonny Kingdom. In fact, historical records are clear that during the slave trade, the then forest now know as Finima was the holding area for slaves for King Fubara, Perekule I, who were meant for export.
“That Brown House is a creation of King Fubara, Perekule I, after its progenitor, Omuso, its first Chief and Head, who was redeemed from slavery by the King.”
The BKDC boss added that Finima is populated by Brown, Tobin and Attoni Houses which are all creations of the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, thus integral components of Bonny Kingdom.
“That never has a kingdom-wide protest by Bonny Kingdom resulted in a breakdown of law and order. In fact, the last one in 1999 engendered several of the benefits Finima Community as a whole is benefitting today.
“That the indigenes and residents of Finima are not isolated from the issues affecting every Bonny person whether indigent or resident and as such any attempt to dissociate Finima from any agitation in the interest of Bonny Kingdom, which Finima is a part of is suspicious, mischievous and laced with ulterior motives.
“That the security agencies should watch out for the deployment of hoodlums and miscreants from that axis as the said disclaimer as previously observed always serves as a prelude for the unleashing of violence on innocent unsuspecting members of the public.”
He said the resort to violence and blaming it on others had always been the stock in trade of those putting out the disclaimer.
He went on: “That the planned protest is well beknown to the various law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities in Nigeria and as such is in compliance with relevant laws of the country.
The statement which was signed by Hart (as chairman) Victor I. Jumbo as secretary said: “Despite the treacherous shenanigans of divisive elements, who we are already aware have been induced with huge monetary sums by some of the oil and gas companies to frustrate the process, the protest would go on as it seeks to address issues germane to the wellbeing of Bonny people in general.”
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
