• Names negotiation team
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has urged the Federal Government to suspend charges against former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, release Okah brothers, Henry and Charles to facilitate the peace process in the Niger Delta.
The group in a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari also said it had constituted final list of its Aaron Team 2 and urged government to flag-off the peace process by contacting its leaders, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, and King Alfred Diette-Spiff.
The memo signed by spokesperson of the group, Jomo Gbomo, read: “MEND) hereby submits the final list of members of the Aaron Team 2 dialogue, peace and development initiative inaugurated on June 12 to find sustainable solutions to the Niger Delta crisis.”
Members of the apolitical team include Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, (Rivers-team leader), King Alfred Papapreye Diette-Spiff, Amayanabo of Twon-Brass (Bayelsa–deputy team leader and representative of the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group–NDDCG), Senator Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River–representative of all aggrieved militant groups and communities from the Bakassi axis and. Mr. Ledum Mitee (Rivers)
Others are Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia–representative of oil-bearing communities in Abia and Imo states), Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Delta State), Mr. Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom), Mr. Alfred Isename (Edo) and Mr. Timipa Jenkins Okponipere (Bayelsa–team secretary).
“Consequently, the NDDCG shall serve as the contact and clearing house for all mushroom and internet-based militant groups in the region; all aggrieved oil-bearing and coastal communities affected by the menace of oil spillage and related environmental challenges.
“The NDDCG shall also accommodate all repentant Niger Delta activists, elders and tribal assemblies who actively supported the neglect and corruption perpetrated during the era of former President Goodluck Jonathan but who are now ready to join hands with your admimnistration to bring peace and development to the region,” MEND stated.
On the inclusion of Tompolo, the group said: “Tompolo’s inclusion in the final list was because of the key role he continues to play in the Niger Delta as a former militant leader. It will, therefore, be counter-productive if the Federal Government ignored such an individual who may be capable of talking to the militants in the creeks to ceasefire.
“We are very much aware of the pending criminal charges against Government Ekpemupolo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). However, we strongly advise that the charges be suspended until after the conclusion of the Aaron Team assignment. This is to ensure that Mr. Ekpemupolo devotes his time, energy and resources to the resolution of the current Niger Delta crisis without any fear of arrest, intimidation or harassment,” it said.
“If Senator Ali Ndume facing terror charge for sponsoring Boko Haram can be granted bail by the judiciary and thereby permitted to participate in nation-building at one of the highest levels as majority leader of the Senate. Then, we see no reason Okah brothers who have capacity to help government end the Niger Delta crisis would still be held in prison.
“Sir, cases abound in history where prisoners were released from prison to help save the nation in times of crises.”
Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990 to help restore multi- racial democracy in South Africa in 1994. We therefore urge the release of Messrs Henry and Charles Okah similarly as former President Olusegun Obasanjo was released from prison to become president and help to nurture the then nascent democracy in 1999,” MEND submitted.