By Charles Pemu 
The Itsekiri National Development Initiative (INDI) has criticized a recent publication by Comrade Esimaje Awani regarding the deployment of Itsekiri students to Novena University.
The INDI, in a statement signed by its president, Comrade Dennis Mene, alleges that Awani’s current opposition is contradictory to his previous role in the students’ deployment. The group suggests Awani’s actions are a “self-serving attempt to gain favor” rather than a genuine concern for the students.
According to the INDI, the central issue is the reported abandonment of these students by the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), led by Dr. Dennis Otuaro. The statement claims this is due to the students’ of Itsekiri ethnicity, contrasting their situation with the reported full absorption and payment of fees for over 10,000 Ijaw students at the same university.
In response, the Itsekiri Ex-agitators Forum, a partner group, has temporarily paused a planned protest dubbed ‘Ground Zero’ to allow for dialogue with leaders. The forum warns it will not tolerate any interference with the students’ welfare and plans to proceed with the shutdown if a resolution is not reached.