A group of ex-militants yesterday threatened to resume hostilities in the oil producing areas of Ondo State if the Federal Government did not appoint an indigene of the area into the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The grouse of the ex-militants in the Eagle Strike Camp in Ilaje Local Government area of the state is the perceived marginalization of the oil rich region in the state, despite several pleas by notable indigenes of the area.
In a statement signed by Niyi Uyimitigha and three other commanders of the Eagle Strike Camp, they said the state out of the nine oil producing states, had no representative on the board of the NDDC since the former nominee, Mr Tokunbo Ajasin was disqualified on account of not being an indigene of the area.
Also, they said since the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo had been visiting the Niger Delta region and having Town Hall meetings in order to pacify the people and ex-militants, the state has been excluded from the schedule of the presidency.
The ex-militants said “we understood the unalloyed efforts been exerted by the current APC led government in the country and ultimately salute particularly the courage and doggedness of our Acting President in the recent times to ensure that Niger Delta areas do not get eluded of benefits due them for better peace and tranquility in the region.
“However, we are sincerely embarrassed at the gross neglect of Ilaje Local Government- the only oil producing Local Government that qualifies Ondo State and indeed the Southwest zone to be part of Niger Delta”, they said.
The group of 110 ex-militants said there was limit to their tolerance regarding the neglects of their areas by the successive administrations in the country and may resume hostilities if their demands were not met by the Federal Government.
The group demanded for a representative on the NDDC which must come from the Ugbo land in order to guarantee peace in the region.
Also, they demanded for inclusion in any peace meeting to be held with the Federal Government, empowerment and social and infrastructural amenities for the people of the region in order to guarantee peace.
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