Urhobo Accuses FG Of Marginalisation, Threatens To Take Issue To The Hague

delta map

The Urhobo Nationalists Movement, UNM, has issued the Federal Government a 30-day ultimatum to address issues of marginalisation, oppression, socio-economic and political denial being perpetrated against Urhobo people of Delta State.

The group warned that it will approach the International Court of Justice, The Hague, to seek redress should the Federal Government fail to correct the anomalies at the end of the expiration of the ultimatum.

In the notice received by the office of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja on April 16, 2013, the group alleged it was obvious that the government of Nigeria was not ready to take responsibility by giving Urhobo people their place in the scheme of things.

The notice, signed by the National President of UNM, Barrister Mumakai Unagha, and Secretary, Barrister Friday Otobrise, respectively, said: “We, the Urhobo Nationalists Movement on behalf of the 24 kingdoms wish to issue you this 30 days pro-action notice within which the Urhobo Nationalists Movement on behalf of the Urhobo nation will approach the International Court of Justice, The Hague for redress.

“The Urhobo is the fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, but since the amalgamation of both the Northern and Southern protectorates and the subsequent independence of 1960, the Urhobos have not been given their rights of place in the socio-political, economic and cultural developments, thereby subjecting our people to second class citizens, negating the United Nations Declaration on human rights, the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the African Charter on Human and People’s rights.

“Our people have been neglected, marginalised, deprived and denied by the government of Nigeria of our economic rights, right to environment, right to our God given oil and natural gas which have become the bane of political power tussle in Nigeria.

“Since it is obvious that the Government of Nigeria is not ready to take responsibility by giving the Urhobo people their proper place, allocation, appointments and development, we are poised, to take our destiny into our hands not minding whose interest is gored through a legitimate action in the International Court of justice.

“Take notice that if the wrongs inherent that informed the issuance of this pre-action notice is not addressed within 30-days from the date of the receipt of this letter, we shall give effect to this pre-action notice.” [Vanguard]