A group under
the aegis of Congress of United People of Niger Delta has called on
President Muhammadu Buhari to consider withdrawal of warships and jet
fighters from the creeks of the Niger Delta, as a proactive approach
towards the restoration of peace in the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday June 5,
2016 by the group’s national organising secretary, Fred Latimore in
Asaba, Delta State, the congress said the call has become necessary
because of the innocent people and children that may be killed in the
process of exchanging gun fire between the militants, the Igbesu boys’
confraternity and the federal troops.
The group said it will pay the country
better to negotiate with the militants than for the nation to lose N10.5
billion daily as a result of the wanton destruction and vandalization
of oil installations in the region.
“We are appealing to the Avengers and other vexed groups to dialogue with the federal government and embrace peace.
“We do not think that full blown
military incursion will restore lasting peace and active economic
activities in the region. We are not in support of renewed violence but
government must employ result oriented strategies to quell the uprising
and move the nation forward.
“Full military action may end up as
futile exercise and costly, if the federal government choose not to
negotiate with the Avengers. We believe that involvement of the
governors of the Niger Delta region and political leaders will yield
better and greater results than full military action.
“We strongly advise the federal
government not to move the Maritime University from its present location
because that in itself may provoke further internal or ethnic war
capable of wrecking complicated economic havoc which could escalate into
wanton destruction of oil installations, choice properties and loss of
lives.
“The federal government may continue
with the investigation of fraud in connection with the land acquired for
the university and in the same token continue with the project and open
the university with full assurances from the host communities that
students of the institution will enjoy peace and stable academic
activities.
“We should learn from other nations that
nursed internal war for three decades, the losses, the economic
sabotage and the rest. The tension in Nigeria today is obvious, ranging
from hike in fuel price to super inflation and no money in circulation
as a result of bad governance.
“The political class are angry because
of the highly restricted political appointments which have further
slowed down enthusiasm of party faithful and supporters. There is acute
hunger in the land while banks and other organizations are retrenching
workers in their thousands. The price of crude oil is falling. The pain
is much.
“So, this is certainly not the right
time to use full military action as it may provoke massive declaration
and increased militancy that may lead to partial or full blown civil
war. We urge President Buhari to read the evil script of the enemies and
use wisdom to handle this matter.
“We strongly believe that it is cheaper
and wiser to negotiate and end this crisis within the shortest possible
time. The Niger Delta is not a foreign country at war with Nigeria,
therefore the federal government will not take pride to wipe out the
people of the region.
“We strongly believe that the Niger
Delta is still grossly underdeveloped compared to the rapid development
going on in Abuja and other major cities whereas the region produces
wealth for the thirty six (36) states of the federation including the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” the statement added.
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