Niger Delta peace moves in jeopardy as militants give new conditions

The efforts of the Federal government and the Chief Edwin Clark led Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) at peace in the Niger Delta may be jeopardized as militants in the area have given new conditions for peace to reign.

The group of Niger Delta militants under the aegis of Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators have insisted on withdrawal of their support to the peace moves and called for either power devolution or for the region to have its republic.

The groups made this known in a statement on Saturday insisting that should the Federal Government fail to allow fiscal federalism or total devolution of power, the militants of the oil region will work to achieve a Niger Delta Republic.

The statement was endorsed by Ekpo Ekpo, Niger Delta Volunteers; John Dudu, Niger Delta Watchdogs and convener of the coalition; Osarolor Nedam, Niger Delta Warriors; Henry Okon Etete, Niger Delta Peoples Fighters; and Asukwo Henshaw, Bakassi Freedom Fighters.

Also in the coalition are Ibinabo Horsfall, Niger Delta Movement for Justice; Duke Emmanson, Niger Delta Fighters Network; Inibeghe Adams, Niger Delta Freedom Mandate; and Abiye Tariah, Niger Delta Development Network.

“The least considerable action on the part of the Federal Government is the total devolution of power and fiscal federalism. Anything short of that, the people of the Niger Delta will go their separate ways. The coalition will work to convince other agitators in the Niger Delta for a collaborative action to ensure the least acceptable demand, which is total devolution of power and fiscal federalism.

“The people of the Niger Delta will fully support the call for a referendum by other agitators in the country. Finally, the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators firmly resolves to pursue its decision(s) and actualise them by any means necessary,” the statement read in part.

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On PANDEF, the militants explained that they withdrew their support due to the poor manner the Federal Government has handled its agreement with PANDEF and said that the Clark led group no longer has the authority to represent the Niger Delta ethnic nationalities.

“The Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators will rally round all other agitating groups in the Niger Delta for the actualisation of the Niger Delta Republic. This will give us the freedom to develop ourselves and at our own pace,” the statement added.

The group further dismissed a recent meeting in Bayelsa between PANDEF and militants as it described the Clark led group as clueless.

The group said, “While a meeting is called by Pa E. K. Clark in Bayelsa, the secretary of the central working committee is calling for a constitution review meeting in Abuja the following day. We have no doubt in our mind that there are contending interests and positions that have become overriding in the leadership of PANDEF and we can no longer sit by and allow them to fester.”

 

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