IJAW leader, Chief Edwin Clark says that hostage taking and other violent activities by miltiant groups in the Niger-Delta will not disrupt the 2007 general elections in the region, as the militants are not against democracy but neglect and underdevelopment of the communities by government.
Chief Clark told journalists at his Kiagbodo country home that most of the militants who have been branded as criminals are graduates fighting for their freedom and that of their people.
�Like I told you, most of these youths are not criminals, they are educated youngmen. They are youngmen who know what is going on in their area. They are part of this country, there is no reason why they should not be gainfully employed. There is no reason why they should not have meaningful development in their area,� he said.
Chief Clark said the youths were angry because they were being sentenced to poverty and urged the people to exercise some restraint now that the region has produced the Vice Presidential candidate for the PDP.
He said it was their duty, therefore, to ensure the victory of PDP in the presidential election, expressing belief that a Niger-Delta Vice President in Aso Rock with the President would surely look into the problem of the people of the people of the region.
Chief Clark asked the people not to do anything that would distract them from supporting the ticket of Musa Yar�Adua and Goodluck Jonathan. He stressed that Governors Umaru Yar�dua and Goodluk Jonathan should be given a chance to lead the country.
He said the youths were unemployed and resorted to hostage taking and other vices because of the neglect of their region but the elder statesman condemned the politicization of hostage taking by some militant groups.
Clark, however, observed that some elements of politics have infiltrated into the hostage taking and stated: �Now, we are condemning them, we are appealing to them not to use hostage taking as a way of solving our problems, particularly when the people are expatriates. They are innocent workers, they should not be taken as hostages.�
He said that leaders of the Ijaw nation have recently set up a committee under the chairmanship of the secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Dr. Godknows Igali and other prominent people as members of the committee to discuss with the youths, adding that the Ijaw nation would not take it likely with any community that encourages hostage taking.