A socio-Ijaw group, the Arogbo Ijaw Patriots (AIP) are really not happy with the latest move by the Ondo state government under the leadership of Governor Rotimi Akerodolu where their people are been forced to sing the Oduduwa anthem against their will.

A statement by the Coordinator and Secretary, Fidelis Soriwei and Bibisa Kekemeke noted that Akeredolu’s order was a flagrant violation of the rights of the Ijaw ethnic minority.

Akeredolu, via a memo signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Teaching Service Commission, Tolu Adeyemi, made it compulsory for the anthem to be sung in all secondary schools.

They want Akeredolu to “respect the rights of the marginalized Arogbo Ijaws to a dignified existence in Ondo as provided for by the constitution”.

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The organization said the state comprises two ethnicities – the Yoruba occupying 17 Local Government Areas and the Ijaws who occupy 1 LGA.

The statement advised Akeredolu to “display the expected consciousness on the need for fairness to note the fact that Ondo State is not like the homogenous South-West State where every citizen is Yoruba”.

AIP said the Ijaw territory which became part of Ondo State in 1976 is not a vassal territory and should not be treated as such.

They urged the Ijaw National Congress, the Attorney General of the Federation, and Nigerians to prevail on Akeredolu to stop “his disdainful treatment of the Ijaw minority”