As President Buhari is set to inaugurate his ministers, the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to give the Ijaw nation a substantive ministerial portfolio.
Barrister Pereotubo Roland Oweilaemi, President, IYC worldwide, in a statement on Tuesday, maintained that since Chief Timipre Silver is the only minister-designate from the Ijaw nation, the IYC expect the President to compensate the Ijaw people with a substantive ministry.
He said: “President Buhari should prove to be a father to all Nigerians. The Ijaw nation despite her economic importance to Nigeria has not been given her pride of place under the Buhari administration. We don’t deserve junior ministerial portfolio. Give Chief Timipre Silver a substantive ministry with a juicy portfolio.
“We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to compensate the Ijaw nation with a substantive ministry. Let him assuage the people with the feeling of distrust. Now is the time for our President to prove to Ijaw people that he is for every tribe in the country.
“Timipre Silver should therefore be given a ministry he can use to develop and empower his people. We were politically alienated by the present government in the first term. Now is the time for Buhari to accommodate every section in his government.”