The attention of the Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger
Delta (MEND) has been drawn to a statement
issued by one Ikechuckwu Eze, on behalf of former President Goodluck Jonathan purporting to dissociate himself
from the allegation leveled against him
by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) that, the former President was the Grand Patron of the Niger
Delta Avengers (NDA).
With all due respect, the entire statement was was
deeply provocative and embarrassingly misconceived as it woefully failed to address the core issue of whether or not, the
former President was indeed, the Grand Patron of
the NDA.
Rather, the statement employed diversionary tactics
which dwelt extensively on sour grapes! Any follower of events in Nigeria and
the Niger Delta who was privileged to read the statement released by Mr.
Jonathan, would immediately observe that the former President had a score to
settle with the Okah brothers as well as MEND who have since May
30, 2014 stopped attacks on Nigeria's oil and
gas assets; and are currently engaged in
dialogue with the Federal Government to find sustainable ways and means of ending the festering Niger Delta crises
which was exacerbated by the former President's
ineptitude, incompetence and corruption
during the six (6) years he governed the country.
Indeed, the problem in the Niger Delta today has
nothing to do with the current Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Far from it! The problem is simply, the failure of Mr. Jonathan to address the
root issues confronting the region when he was at the helm. Even though he was
from thr impoverished region; and had, by his own admission in numerous
electioneering campaigns, experienced the utter poverty and abject neglect of
the region foisted by successive Nigerian Governments and the International Oil
Companies since the discovery of oil in 1958 at Oloibiri (a few meters away
from his native Otuoke) in Bayelsa state, Mr. Jonathan disappointingly frittered
away the opportunity to rescue his people when the Nigerian Presidency
fortuitously landed on his laps, virtually on a platter of gold. For 6 whole
years, Mr. Jonathan was busy drinking, making merry and generally chasing
shadows at the State House. Such a fellow deserves to be ostracized from the
assembly of reasonable men; because the Nigerian Presidency might never come
back to the region as cheap as it came to Mr. Jonathan; perhaps in the next 100
years.
Lest we forget, MEND was at the forefront of the armed
struggle back in 2006/2007 which forced President Olusegun Obasanjo to consider
the option of drafting an Ijaw man into the mainstream of Nigerian politics.
That was how the perpetually timid and naïve Goodluck Jonathan became Vice President
and later, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
When he assumed therein as President, he did the
unthinkable; he tracked down perceived MEND leaders and promptly got them
imprisoned on a trumped-up charge of attempt to assassinate him. Up until
today, Mr. Jonathan is still suffering from an Assassination Paranoia Complex
(APC).
Secondly, a substantial portion of Mr. Jonathan’s
statement unfortunately dwelt on judicial matters which are pending in various courts in Nigeria and South Africa. For instance, Mr. Henry Okah's Appeal in South Africa's
Constitutional Court is due for Hearing
this August; while his brother, Charles' ongoing
trial in Nigeria is pending before Hon. Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The former President's statement was therefore, contemptuous and prejudicial to the success of the ongoing trials of Henry and Charles Okah in South African and Nigerian courts, respectively. Consequently, both brothers shall, on account of the former President's prejudicial statement, institute legal action against him in South Africa and Nigeria within 60 days, commencing from today, August 8, 2016. Accordingly, they have briefed their respective Solicitors to formally engage the former President in litigation.
Back to the core issue. MEND cannot hold brief for the RNDA who pointedly accused the former President of complicity in fueling the ongoing Niger Delta crisis; and patronizing the NDA, apparently for political reasons. We are however, quick to point out the fact that,
the RNDA has merely vindicated MEND's belief and conviction that, the former President and his cronies who lost the 2015 Presidential election were using the NDA platform to destabilize President Buhari's Government.
Finally, MEND is committed to working with the current Administration to bring peace, stability and development to the Niger Delta region. The process has since commenced with the constitution of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT-MEND AARON TEAM 2, Dialogue, Peace and Development Initiative. Between August 22, 2016 and October 07, 2016 the Aaron Team shall embark on a tour of the Niger Delta region. The proposed tour is code-named “OPERATION MOSES”. The key focus of the tour is to persuade militants to ceasefire and support President Muhammadu Buhari in his determined and sincere effort to develop the region. The tour shall also help to boost Nigeria’s oil production capacity as well as improve host community relations with oil and gas companies in the country.
The former President's statement was therefore, contemptuous and prejudicial to the success of the ongoing trials of Henry and Charles Okah in South African and Nigerian courts, respectively. Consequently, both brothers shall, on account of the former President's prejudicial statement, institute legal action against him in South Africa and Nigeria within 60 days, commencing from today, August 8, 2016. Accordingly, they have briefed their respective Solicitors to formally engage the former President in litigation.
Back to the core issue. MEND cannot hold brief for the RNDA who pointedly accused the former President of complicity in fueling the ongoing Niger Delta crisis; and patronizing the NDA, apparently for political reasons. We are however, quick to point out the fact that,
the RNDA has merely vindicated MEND's belief and conviction that, the former President and his cronies who lost the 2015 Presidential election were using the NDA platform to destabilize President Buhari's Government.
Finally, MEND is committed to working with the current Administration to bring peace, stability and development to the Niger Delta region. The process has since commenced with the constitution of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT-MEND AARON TEAM 2, Dialogue, Peace and Development Initiative. Between August 22, 2016 and October 07, 2016 the Aaron Team shall embark on a tour of the Niger Delta region. The proposed tour is code-named “OPERATION MOSES”. The key focus of the tour is to persuade militants to ceasefire and support President Muhammadu Buhari in his determined and sincere effort to develop the region. The tour shall also help to boost Nigeria’s oil production capacity as well as improve host community relations with oil and gas companies in the country.
Jomo Gbomo
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