MEND threatens to stop talks with FG … rejects Ijaw leader, Clark •We’re showing restraint on use of force on N’Delta militants –Buhari
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, has threatened to withdraw from the on-going dialogue the group is having with the Federal Government.
MEND said it would make good its threat if the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government started fresh talks with militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, to be represented by prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
MEND, in a statement by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, yesterday said it had been discussing with 1the Federal Government to resolve the problem in the Niger Delta since April this year.
The group specifically said Clark was too old to stand the rigours of the dialogue, wondering if he was one of the sponsors of the ND A if he accepts to negotiate on their behalf.
While welcoming NDA’s decision to ceasefire and dialogue with government, MEND, however, said the decision by the militants to name a separate dialogue team headed by Chief Clark might derail the on-going peace efforts.
The statement reads: “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, welcomes the recent decision by the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, to ceasefire and dialogue with the Federal Government.
“It is a move we have repeatedly canvassed since April, 2016; given our stance that, criminal attacks on oil installations as a strategy to force concessions from government was no longer fashionable.
“Given also the fact that MEND has since May 30, 2014 ceased all forms of hostility against Nigeria’s economic and strategic assets.
“However, the NDA decision to name a separate dialogue team headed by Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark was hasty, premature and capable of sending wrong signals to the Federal Government that the Niger Delta region was polarised and was therefore, incapable of speaking with a single voice under a single umbrella body.
“We reasonably believe that the NDA, Chief Clark, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and others who attended the Friday, August 19, 2016 Niger Delta Coastal States’ stakeholders meeting jointly convened by Chief Clark and Governor Okowa knew full well that the MEND AARON TEAM 2 Dialogue, Peace and Development Initiative headed by His Excellency, Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, was inaugurated by MEND on June 12, 2016.
“We also reasonably believe that these earlier-mentioned persons and stakeholders are aware that the Federal Government of Nigeria has been engaged in preliminary talks with MEND with a view to resolving the current Niger Delta crisis; as duly confirmed by no less a person than President Muhammadu Buhari.
“As a matter of fact, MEND has so far, been able to secure some very critical concessions from the Federal Government in the ongoing talks.
“The final phase of the talks shall however, be concluded by the MEND AARON TEAM 2 led by Mr. Ajumogobia.
“In the light of these developments, we want to believe that Chief Edwin Clark shall respect himself as an elder statesman by refraining from accepting to lead a so-called ‘NDA delegation’ to non-existent talks with the Federal Government.
“If Chief Clark accepted such an appointment, then, Nigerians and the international community shall be left with no option than to believe that, truly, he was the mastermind and evil genius of the spate of NDA attacks on oil installations which have greatly contributed to destabilising the current administration, blighted Nigeria’s oil production capacity and thereby, caused economic hardship on innocent Nigerians.
“It is imperative to emphasise that the Federal Government of Nigeria must not set a precedence of dialogue with criminals.
“If, on the contrary, the Federal Government chooses to hold a separate dialogue with the NDA team led by Chief Clark, MEND shall immediately disband the AARON TEAM 2 and pull out of the ongoing talks.
“We insist that the NDA, their patrons, sponsors, supporters and sympathisers are criminals and haters of the current administration (as revealed by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers - RNDA) who must publicly renounce all forms of hostilities against Nigeria. Once this is done, MEND shall embrace the NDA and their co-travellers.
“At almost 90 years of age, we believe that Chief Edwin Clark cannot reasonably stand the rigours associated with dialogue and negotiation of the Niger Delta question. Chief Clark must not head every civil society initiative on the Niger Delta.
“Following his appointment by NDA (assuming he decided to accept), we expected Chief Clark to lead his team to pledge allegiance to the MEND AARON TEAM who are patiently waiting on the sidelines to meet President Buhari in the next couple of days to chart a course for the beleaguered region.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari yesterday said his government was showing restraint not to use real force on militants in the Niger Delta region except when constrained to do so.
Buhari explained that his administration had taken this position even though militancy in the region had impacted negatively on the economy and affected the positive intentions of international and local investors.
A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke after receiving American Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, at the Presidential Villa.
Buhari pledged that the anti-corruption crusade in the country would be deepened and institutionalised to last beyond the life of the current administration.
“We will insist on the standards we’re establishing. We are laying down administrative and financial instructions in the public service that must be obeyed. Any breach will no longer be acceptable.
“We will re-train our staff so that they understand the new orientation. And those who run foul of these rules will be prosecuted, no matter who is involved. But we will be fair, just and act according to the rule of law.
“Anyone perceived to corrupt is innocent till we can prove it. We will work very hard to establish documentation for successful prosecution, and those in positions of trust will sit up,” the President said.
Buhari appreciated the intervention of the United States before the 2015 polls, demanding free and fair elections in Nigeria.
He said: “America did not do it because of what it stands to benefit from us. You did it for the Nigerian people. It tells so much what the U.S stands for in the world.” On the Boko Haram insurgency, Buhari thanked the United States for both hard and soft military help.
He said: “The training and intelligence that we could not muster ourselves we received.
“The training has made Boko Haram less of a threat to Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region, while the military hardware has given our troops added confidence.”
The President assured that the focus of his administration was on the diversification of the economy having learnt lessons from years of over dependence on oil.
In his remarks, Kerry commended the courage of Buhari in fighting corruption.
“We applaud what you are doing. Corruption creates a ready-made playing field for recruiting extremists.
“You inherited a big problem, and we will support you in any way we can. We will work with you very closely. We don’t want to interfere, but will offer opportunities as you require,” he said.
Kerry also pledged to assist in tackling the humanitarian challenges in the North East, adding that his country would get the United Kingdom, France and others to strengthen the support.
“Nigeria is priority for us. We won’t miss the opportunity to work together, because you are making significant progress,” he added.
MEND said it would make good its threat if the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government started fresh talks with militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, to be represented by prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
MEND, in a statement by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, yesterday said it had been discussing with 1the Federal Government to resolve the problem in the Niger Delta since April this year.
The group specifically said Clark was too old to stand the rigours of the dialogue, wondering if he was one of the sponsors of the ND A if he accepts to negotiate on their behalf.
While welcoming NDA’s decision to ceasefire and dialogue with government, MEND, however, said the decision by the militants to name a separate dialogue team headed by Chief Clark might derail the on-going peace efforts.
The statement reads: “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, welcomes the recent decision by the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, to ceasefire and dialogue with the Federal Government.
“It is a move we have repeatedly canvassed since April, 2016; given our stance that, criminal attacks on oil installations as a strategy to force concessions from government was no longer fashionable.
“Given also the fact that MEND has since May 30, 2014 ceased all forms of hostility against Nigeria’s economic and strategic assets.
“However, the NDA decision to name a separate dialogue team headed by Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark was hasty, premature and capable of sending wrong signals to the Federal Government that the Niger Delta region was polarised and was therefore, incapable of speaking with a single voice under a single umbrella body.
“We reasonably believe that the NDA, Chief Clark, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and others who attended the Friday, August 19, 2016 Niger Delta Coastal States’ stakeholders meeting jointly convened by Chief Clark and Governor Okowa knew full well that the MEND AARON TEAM 2 Dialogue, Peace and Development Initiative headed by His Excellency, Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, was inaugurated by MEND on June 12, 2016.
“We also reasonably believe that these earlier-mentioned persons and stakeholders are aware that the Federal Government of Nigeria has been engaged in preliminary talks with MEND with a view to resolving the current Niger Delta crisis; as duly confirmed by no less a person than President Muhammadu Buhari.
“As a matter of fact, MEND has so far, been able to secure some very critical concessions from the Federal Government in the ongoing talks.
“The final phase of the talks shall however, be concluded by the MEND AARON TEAM 2 led by Mr. Ajumogobia.
“In the light of these developments, we want to believe that Chief Edwin Clark shall respect himself as an elder statesman by refraining from accepting to lead a so-called ‘NDA delegation’ to non-existent talks with the Federal Government.
“If Chief Clark accepted such an appointment, then, Nigerians and the international community shall be left with no option than to believe that, truly, he was the mastermind and evil genius of the spate of NDA attacks on oil installations which have greatly contributed to destabilising the current administration, blighted Nigeria’s oil production capacity and thereby, caused economic hardship on innocent Nigerians.
“It is imperative to emphasise that the Federal Government of Nigeria must not set a precedence of dialogue with criminals.
“If, on the contrary, the Federal Government chooses to hold a separate dialogue with the NDA team led by Chief Clark, MEND shall immediately disband the AARON TEAM 2 and pull out of the ongoing talks.
“We insist that the NDA, their patrons, sponsors, supporters and sympathisers are criminals and haters of the current administration (as revealed by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers - RNDA) who must publicly renounce all forms of hostilities against Nigeria. Once this is done, MEND shall embrace the NDA and their co-travellers.
“At almost 90 years of age, we believe that Chief Edwin Clark cannot reasonably stand the rigours associated with dialogue and negotiation of the Niger Delta question. Chief Clark must not head every civil society initiative on the Niger Delta.
“Following his appointment by NDA (assuming he decided to accept), we expected Chief Clark to lead his team to pledge allegiance to the MEND AARON TEAM who are patiently waiting on the sidelines to meet President Buhari in the next couple of days to chart a course for the beleaguered region.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari yesterday said his government was showing restraint not to use real force on militants in the Niger Delta region except when constrained to do so.
Buhari explained that his administration had taken this position even though militancy in the region had impacted negatively on the economy and affected the positive intentions of international and local investors.
A statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari spoke after receiving American Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, at the Presidential Villa.
Buhari pledged that the anti-corruption crusade in the country would be deepened and institutionalised to last beyond the life of the current administration.
“We will insist on the standards we’re establishing. We are laying down administrative and financial instructions in the public service that must be obeyed. Any breach will no longer be acceptable.
“We will re-train our staff so that they understand the new orientation. And those who run foul of these rules will be prosecuted, no matter who is involved. But we will be fair, just and act according to the rule of law.
“Anyone perceived to corrupt is innocent till we can prove it. We will work very hard to establish documentation for successful prosecution, and those in positions of trust will sit up,” the President said.
Buhari appreciated the intervention of the United States before the 2015 polls, demanding free and fair elections in Nigeria.
He said: “America did not do it because of what it stands to benefit from us. You did it for the Nigerian people. It tells so much what the U.S stands for in the world.” On the Boko Haram insurgency, Buhari thanked the United States for both hard and soft military help.
He said: “The training and intelligence that we could not muster ourselves we received.
“The training has made Boko Haram less of a threat to Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region, while the military hardware has given our troops added confidence.”
The President assured that the focus of his administration was on the diversification of the economy having learnt lessons from years of over dependence on oil.
In his remarks, Kerry commended the courage of Buhari in fighting corruption.
“We applaud what you are doing. Corruption creates a ready-made playing field for recruiting extremists.
“You inherited a big problem, and we will support you in any way we can. We will work with you very closely. We don’t want to interfere, but will offer opportunities as you require,” he said.
Kerry also pledged to assist in tackling the humanitarian challenges in the North East, adding that his country would get the United Kingdom, France and others to strengthen the support.
“Nigeria is priority for us. We won’t miss the opportunity to work together, because you are making significant progress,” he added.
Comments