Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) will never dialogue with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
It has also given Federal Government two weeks to kick start dialogue saying that at the expiration of the stated time it will assume that government in not sincere in engaging the militant for peace talk.
In a statement signed by MEND spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo and made available to newsmenon Saturday, the group said that the proposed dialogue was not expected to be an interrogatory session.
While the group held that it had selected an Aaron team to dialogue with the Federal Government, it however opposed any negotiation or dealings with the office of NSA or anyone that lacked executive power, since the Niger Delta issue was on the exclusive legislative list.
Those it listed to be in the said Aaron team are as follows, Henry Odein Ajumogobia, (Rivers), team leader; Bismark Jemide Rewane (Delta), waiting re-confirmation; Senator Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River); and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Delta) – awaiting confirmation.
Also to be part of the team are, Ledum Mitee, (Rivers); Lawson Omokhodion (Edo); Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom); Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia); Alfred Isename (Edo); and Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, Esq. (Bayelsa), team secretary.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the MEND Aaron team shall not hold a dialogue with the NSA given that the office of the NSA lacks executive power. Given also the fact that the root issues surrounding the Niger Delta question are on the exclusive legislative list. Also, for the fact that the proposed dialogue is not an interrogatory session.
“We therefore hope that the Federal Government shall reach out to the Aaron Team Leader, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, to signal government intention to commence the dialogue. If after two weeks from the date of publication of this Right of Reply, we don’t hear from the Federal Government, MEND shall safely assume that the government is truly not sincere about the dialogue on the Niger Delta question and responds only to the threat of violence or industrial action.”
MEND also frowned at the article titled “President Buhari Sharpens Focus on Niger Delta,” by the Senior Special Adviser Assistant to President Muhammad Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, describing it as unfortunate.
“Mr. Shehu’s piece was unfortunately marred by sweeping assumptions; hasty generalisation; illogicality and poor analysis of the Niger Delta question. Above all, the article merely provided lame excuses for government’s inability to proffer sustainable solutions to the Niger Delta crisis.
“It was tactless of Mr. Shehu to arrive at a conclusion in his article that Niger Delta militants were behind the killings of prominent individuals and attacks on some coastal communities in Lagos and Ogun states,” MEND stated.
The group also faulted government’s plan to negotiate with members of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) whom they described as as criminals, holding the the Federal Government to ransom and forcing concessions.
The NDA members, according to MEND, also engage in militancy for their own personal aggrandizement.buhari
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