Odahiekwu Ogunde, Yenagoa
A coalition of ex-Niger Delta agitators has backed the Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, and the resolution of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy, calling on the Federal Government to quickly resolve the burning issues in the region.
The UNDEDSS had after a virtual meeting with some of its executives, demanded that the Federal Government should start treating every zone of the country equitably or lose its moral right to demand full acquiescence to its leadership status.
On the other hand, Clark had warned in a statement that the region was prepared to take their destinies in their hands no matter the consequences that would follow if the Federal Government continued to toy with development in the Niger Delta.
Both parties warned that the region had had enough of ‘sabre-rattling’ by the authorities, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently reach out to the constituted leadership of the region led by Chief Edwin Clark to resolve the many issues that threaten the peace and stability in the region.
The coalition, under the aegis of the 21st Century Youths of the Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), in an electronic message by its Coordinator, ‘General’ Izon Ebi, agreed with the resolution taken by UNDEDSS, saying that achieving a lasting peace in the region must be devoid of politics and sentiments.
The coalition said the Federal Government must not allow enemies of retrogression to capitalise on the so-called National Assembly probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission to truncate the forensic audit and the fragile peace in the region.
The ex-militants said, “We implore President Muhammadu Buhari to take a critical look at the situation because the region and its citizens have suffered enough in the hands of some of these greedy politicians.
“We commend Mr President on his vision and determination to ensure that things turn around for the good of the Niger Delta by declaring a forensic audit of the NDDC.
“We, therefore, as agitators with conscience, commend President Buhari for his wisdom, vision and determination to ensure a lasting peace, development and prosperity in the Niger Delta.
“So, we should not allow our greedy lawmakers that are the real causes of the sacrilege and wanton looting that took place under their watch, to hoodwink Mr President and the general public to believe that N40bn is more important than N17trn gone down the drain.
“The President declaring a forensic audit of the NDDC has opened our eyes to know that our political leaders and our representatives in the National Assembly are the real problems of the Niger Delta, truth be told.
“We, therefore, use this medium to call on Mr President to discuss with his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who held sway as the Acting President when he was on medical leave, so that he can be truly briefed on the measures taken and promises made that led to this fragile peace we are all enjoying.
“The President should ensure that all negative predictions about the Niger Delta and the ‘Nollywood drama’ at the National Assembly should be nipped in the bud by concluding the forensic audit.”