Coalition
of Niger Delta Agitators has condemned the recent alliance meeting
between the Yorubas, Middle Belt, South East and Niger Delta Elders.
The
coalition in a statement on Monday also hinted that it would declare
Niger Delta Republic on September 1 if its demands are not met by the
Nigerian government.
The
group said while the Niger Delta leaders could meet Igbo and Middle
Belt, it was against Yoruba which allegedly acts against the
interest of the South South region.
The
statement reads: “The eight years of President Olusegun Obasanjo was a
total disappointment. He failed to develop the Niger Delta or resolve
the Niger Delta issues. Even the NDDC he created was not funded in order
to drive the development of Niger Delta according to master plan.
“After
so much agitation and pressure by the Militants, Obasanjo decided to
nominate Goodluck Jonathan as running mate to late Yar’adua, the Yorubas
were not comfortable having Vice President from Niger Delta, this was
demonstrated in 2014 APC Primaries election. The Presidential candidate
was zoned to the North to complete the tenure of late Yar’adua while the
Vice President supposed to be zoned to the South South to complete the
tenure of the Niger Delta.
“But
the Yorubas ignored and brought their son. Today the Yorubas have the
Acting President and the Minister of Works, Power and Housing who
ignores the East-West road and concentrates only on Benin-Ore road,
which is their own.
“The Acting
President tour of the Niger Delta states was a camouflage to deceive the
Niger Delta people. After many months since the Acting President
visited, there is nothing good that has come out from the visit. The
call by the Acting President for the relocation of the head office of
the Oil/Gas companies to their operational base was a great joke which
we know even if he is the President he would not enforce it.
“The
greatest enemy of the Niger Delta people are the Yorubas. They
constantly do everything possible to frustrate the progress and
development of the Niger Delta region. They are in control of the
Oil/Gas companies, they pay taxes and royalties to Lagos state
government instead of Niger Delta states.
“If
we are to continue as one Nigeria from October 1st, 2017 we demand as
follows: Restructuring and True Federalism that will give all the zones
equal right; Total Resource Control; Removal of the Group Managing
Director – NNPC; Removal of the National Security Adviser; All the
Oil/Gas companies and their servicing companies must relocate their
headquarters to their operational base.
“Also,
there must be concrete arrangement that come 2019, the President or
Vice President must come from any of the Niger Delta States; Sixty
percent (60%) of oil blocs in the Niger Delta should be awarded by Niger
Delta people.
“We resolved to unfold
the programmes for October 1st, 2017 declaration of Niger Delta
Republic on September 1st 2017, if the Federal Government failed to meet
up our demands as stated above”.
The
statement was signed by General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs) and
Convener: Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators; General Ekpo Ekpo – Niger
Delta Volunteers; General Osarolor Nedam – Niger Delta Warriors;
Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete – Niger Delta Peoples Fighters; Major-Gen.
Asukwo Henshaw – Bakassi Freedom Fighters.
Others
are Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall – Niger Delta Movement for Justice;
Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson – Niger Delta Fighters Network; Major-Gen.
Inibeghe Adams – Niger Delta Freedom Mandate; Major-Gen. Ibinabo Tariah –
Niger Delta Development Network.
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