Politics

At last MEND accepts Clark’s leadership in dialogue with FG

Published

8 years ago

August 26, 2016

The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), is said to have finally accepted that Chief Edwin Clark should head the group that will dialogue with the Federal Government.

The group, it was learnt conveyed its readiness to disband its Aaron Team 2, ‎headed by Odein Ajumogobia and work with Chief Clark through the secretary of Aaron Team 2, Timipa Okponipere.

Okponipere is said to have conveyed MEND’s position to the elder statesman‎ in Warri, but said the decision is with conditions.

The former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Clark has reportedly commended MEND for accepting the outcome of the meeting of Niger Delta monarchs, leaders and stakeholders last Friday, in Warri.

“Leaders of the region would appraise the request, but be rest assured that we are together,” he was reported saying.

Chief Clark and other leaders, who were with him during the visit of the Aaron Team delegation, then denounced the Ijaw leaders, who on Thursday met with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, without authorisation from ‎other ethnic nationalities. He denied sending them on the misadventure.

Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), which has wrecked more havoc on oil installations than any other militant group since the resurgence of militants in the oil region, had in accepting to dialogue with the Federal Government said, “We are going to support any collective/negotiation team emerging from the Chief (Dr.) Papa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders conference to engage with the federal government of Nigeria, representatives from the home countries of all multinational Oil Corporations and neutral international mediators that will be focused on achieving the short, medium and long term frameworks and objectives to de-escalating conflicts in the Niger Delta.”

However, MEND rejected the choice of Clark by the Avengers threatening to boycott its acclaimed on-going dialogue with Federal Government, should government engage in dialogue again with a team led by Clark.

By Ebere Ndukwu …

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