CHAIRMAN of the Board of Trustees of the Ijaw National Council (INC) and former Minister of Education, Chief Edwin Clark, has disowned the “Niger Delta Avengers,” which had recently restarted violence militancy in the Niger Delta but warned President Muhammadu Buhari against carrying out his threat to quell the group’s activities with maximum military force.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja, on Tuesday, he also absolved former President Goodluck Jonathan of blame on the formation of the group which has blowned up oil installations in the region in recent times.
Noting that there were reports of military deployed to the area being engaged in raping of women and other human rights violation, he stressed that dialogue was the best way out of the fresh crisis.
We, therefore, advised Buhari to emulate his predecessors who brought ex-militants to the negotiation table with positive effect on the nation’s economy.
President Buhari has given the armed forces orders to move into the region and deal with the new militant group.
However, noting that the destruction of the goose that lays the golden egg was not a viable option, he said: “In my many years of leadership at various levels in this country, I know that any resurgence to violence and insecurity only leaves a trail of tension, neglect, pain and wanton violence in the areas concerned.
“Even when security forces move in with intention of restoring law and order, it is innocent villagers, in particular women, children, and the old who suffer most.
“The Niger Delta is yet to recover from the season of violence which we experienced between 2005 and 2009.”
“I, hereby, strongly call on the Niger Delta Avengers and any others of like mind, to desist, forthwith, from their activities, and embrace dialogue as the best means of having their grievances assuaged,” Clark pleaded.
The foremost Ijaw leader said even though some of the points being made by the Niger Delta Avengers were valid, including on the Maritime University and unjust allocation of resources by the previous administration, they must however adopt a non-violent means to press home their demands.
“My response to this their battle cry is, yes, but these are ongoing issues, for which more destruction is not the answer. The answer is in the implementation of the National Conference for all-in-inclusiveness based on equity and fair play, he added.
Recalling that previous administrations had successfully resolved such agitations, Clark maintained: “I turn to the leaders of our governments, especially President Muhammadu Buhari to emulate his predecessors, and embrace dialogue on the current perplexing Issues threatening the peace, possibly the existence, of our dear country.
“How many war theatres can our very limited numbers of military and security personnel be deployed at the same time? How effective can they be against Boko Haram, IPOB/MASSOB, Fulani herdsmen, kidnappers, and now Niger Delta Avengers and their likes? Violence, even against violence, is NOT, has never been, the answer. Dialogue is!
“Let’s all embrace dialogue as the best and only means to achieve an equitable society in which everyone feels a sense of belonging and patriotic commitment.
“I repeat, here again, as always, that this country belongs to everyone. We have no other country than Nigeria, and no one should be treated as first or as second class citizen, causing some to take up arms to assert their rightful status.
“Nevertheless, it beats my imagination to hear that this so-called Niger Delta Avengers have, the effrontery to say that they are designing flag, currency and passport for display, in October, of a phantom sovereign existence from Nigeria. What nonsense!”
On the allegations that former President Jonathan was behind the Niger Delta Avengers, the elder statesman said the allegation which was made by a previously unknown group, National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, led by Israel Akpodoro, was “nonsense.”
He added: “How can Jonathan be behind them, a man who said I cannot shed blood because of my election? When the elections were over, the man said I have given up. Is he the one to go and organise this?”
Clark called on ex-Niger Delta militants who benefitted from the previous amnesty programme to speak up against the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers.
He queried: “Where are Chief Ateke Tom, Asari Dokubo, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias, Tompolo, the Leaders of MEND? Where are Mr. Victor Ben Ebikabowei, alias Boyloaf, Farah Dagogo, Africa, Young Shall Grow, Ogunbor, Ajara Roger Mackiver, Gen. Pastor Reuben, Shoot at Sight, Richard, Bostarise, and all the other ex-Militants and Youths who wholeheartedly accepted the Amnesty and voluntarily surrendered arms and ammunition, and pledged to religiously abide by the terms?”
Tribune…..
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