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Again, Buhari begs militants as Tompolo denies them

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Why I did not attend South-East summit -Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has again called on the people of Niger Delta to stop destruction of oil and gas facilities in the region.

This is even as wanted ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, has again distanced himself from such attacks.

According to the president, the renewed attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the region only serves the ecosystem and economy of the country.

It would be recalled that Niger Delta militants have renewed attacks in the region after declaring a unilateral ceasefire to allow for dialogue which the Federal Government proposed.

The ceasefire however collapsed after the November 1 meeting President Buhari had with leaders and elders of the region led by a former Federal Commissioner of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, over allegations that demands presented at the meeting did not adequately address their demands.

The presidency had earlier begged the militants to stop the attacks in an interview granted by President Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu.

President Buhari made the appeal at the 20th anniversary of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company’s Green River Farmers’ Day in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital at the weekend.

He was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

Read also: Buhari, Tinubu face-off deepens

Buhari said: “I appeal to the people of the Niger Delta region to embrace peace and focus on agriculture for sustainable economic development and wealth creation.

“I urge you to take advantage of the huge potential in agriculture and stop the destruction of oil and gas pipelines, which only serve to destroy our ecosystem and economy.

“The present administration is committed to doing everything possible to support the people of the Niger Delta to achieve their potential in agriculture, which is far more than its endowments in oil and gas.”

In the same vein, Tompolo, who has touted severally as the masquerade behind the renewed attacks in the Niger Delta, has again denied the allegation, saying he has no link with the militants.

The Niger Delta Avengers have been specifically linked to Tompolo, while some of the demands earlier made by the NDA, were favourable to the ex-militant leader, who has been evading arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other security agencies to appear in court over allegations of fraud running into billions of naira in his dealings with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

Tompolo, in a statement by his media consultant, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, on Sunday, insisted that he did not send any group of persons to attack oil installations because of his case with the EFCC.

He also vowed to pursue his case with the EFCC to a logical conclusion without resorting to violence.
By Timothy Enietan-Matthews…

 

 

 

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0 Comments

  1. JOHNSON PETER

    November 21, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    The Niger Delta militants want to oblige to government’s plead but forces behind them won’t allow them to do so. So I urge the federal government to buy three black cows to appease the forces behind them. It is beyond ordinary. It is metaphysical

    • yanju omotodun

      November 21, 2016 at 2:06 pm

      You are funny .
      Who will the federal government gives the three black cows?
      No forces is pushing the Niger Delta militants but greediness is pushing them.

  2. Animashaun Ayodeji

    November 21, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    So the militants have frustrated Mr President to the point of begging? This is unbelievable.

    • Roland Uchendu Pele

      November 21, 2016 at 5:17 pm

      Mr. President is looking so thin and malnourished. Whatever he has to do to get himself out of his present condition, I for one am in support. President Buhari is having one hell of a period at the moment.

    • Nonso Ezeugo

      November 22, 2016 at 3:18 am

      This is miracle wonder buhari of all people God of wonder is working in the life of our president

  3. Margret Dickson

    November 21, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    It is better he begs them before apply force. Begging them isn’t a sign of weakness, but to proof to them that he’s humble and ready for peace without force

  4. Joy Madu

    November 22, 2016 at 3:28 am

    Niger Delta Una own don to much self make Una leave my president alone. He don beg Una na oooo

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