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Buhari’s threat, a call to anarchy, Niger Delta groups affirm

Published

8 years ago

August 29, 2016

BUDGET PADDİNG: Buhari carries out threat, dismisses 22

President Muhammadu Buhari has come under fire for threatening to give Niger Delta militants the Boko Haram treatment if they fail to embrace dialogue and give peace a chance.

The president’s threat, according to Niger Delta groups, including the Ijaw Youth Congress, IYC and the youth wing of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPN, is anti-peace.

According to the National President of the youth wing of the UPN, Mr. Ovie Igho, the president’s statement was capable of jeopardising the peace process currently being championed by leaders of the region.

Igho said: “If the President at this stage is threatening to use military might when leaders in the region are already appeasing the youths and they had agreed for a dialogue, such statement is condemnable. We will resist such threat from Buhari because we own this country together.

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“What the President said runs contrary to what the Petroleum minister told us on Friday when he visited Chief Edwin Clark that the Federal Government was looking beyond a ceasefire. This kind of statement should not be coming from a President who desires a lasting peace in a region that feeds the entire country.”

According to Igho, the president should also issue similar threat to Fulani herdsmen who have carrying out killings and destruction of property across the country.

The IYC, in its reaction, said the president’s statement was unfortunate and capable to fueling the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta further.

IYC spokesman, Eric Omare, in a statement, said it was evident that the Federal Government had decided on the use of force against the people of the region despite knowing the militants do not reside in any known community.

By Timothy Enietan-Matthews…

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