(Paul Osuyi, ASABA)
A seven-member team has been constituted by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to dialogue with the Federal Government on the immediate, medium and long-term future of the Niger Delta region.
MEND in a statement by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo dubbed the dialogue crew ‘Aaron Team 2’, describing the nominees as “patriotic and selfless men and women of proven track record, integrity and character.”
On the list are Henry Odein Ajumogobia SAN (Rivers), Bismark Rewane (Delta), Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River), Timipa Jenkins Okponipere (Bayelsa), Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom), Ledum Mitee (Rivers) and Lawson Omokhodion (Edo).
MEND stated that the seven nominees which is provisional have accepted to serve, noting that other members of the team shall be made public in due course after due consultations with relevant stakeholders.
The ex-militant group gloated that within the past 10 years of its existence, MEND resorted to taking up arms against the Nigerian State and the international oil companies with a view to bringing to national and international attention, the pitiable paradox of the region.
Gbomo stated MEND had being carrying out daring attacks including the “June 19, 2008 spectacular attack on Royal Dutch Shell’s offshore Bonga oilfield which is located at a whooping distance of 120 kilometres (75miles) south-West of the Niger Delta.”
Regrettably, MEND stated that it’s numerous sabotage of oil installations did not achieved the desired result of a new lease of life for residents in the region, hence, it “unilaterally declared a ceasefire of hostilities against Nigeria’s key economic and strategic interests” on May 30, 2014 after former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Democracy Day speech of the previous day.
“Evidently, the ceasefire was an indication of the group’s belief that, in this present age and time, ‘iron and blood’ might only become fashionable tools in settling questions when dialogue and diplomacy fail.
“Our message to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is simple: The Niger Delta struggle is beyond attacks on oil installations.
“With the benevolent benefit of hindsight, the group realised that, after the initial euphoria of each successful attack, the gargantuan problems which confront our region; including environmental pollution and political corruption, increased geometrically.
“If indeed your cause is to avenge the injustice done to the Niger Delta region; then, we urge you to ceasefire and join us to the table of negotiation with the Federal Government; otherwise, the Niger Delta struggle shall be hijacked, once again, by selfish interests for their own personal aggrandizement.
“One such example is the recent purported NDA demand made through the region’s governors that the Federal Government should drop charges of corruption against certain individuals and politicians from the region. This absurd and ridiculous demand, to say the least, is far removed from the Niger Delta struggle,” MEND stated.