Civil Society Groups in the Niger Delta, Tuesday, warned Niger Delta leaders not to put forward selfishness contrary to the detriment of the militants in the Niger Delta region as they prepare for a proposed dialogue with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.
In a joint statement signed by Barr. Dickson Bekederemo ,President – Niger Delta Security Watch Organisation of Nigeria, Fred Brisibe, Coordinator – Ijaw Human Rights Monitors, Comr, Austin Ozobo, President – Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative; Alaowei Cleric Esq., National President, Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRACC) warned that it will not condone anything short of the agreed demands by the militants in resolving the ongoing battle between the federal government and militants in the area.
While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the proposed dialogue with the Niger Delta leaders, the statement advised the Federal Government to resolve the Niger Delta problem once and for all.
The statement also reminded the Niger Delta leaders of the militants conditions for dialogue which includes “restructuring of Nigeria into six regions, a mediator by home countries of multinational oil cooperation as a neutral international mediators as part of their demands.
“Those who are representing the region in the proposed meeting should on no account do their own biddings other than the template suggested by the militants. Members of the NIGER DELTA Avengers (NDA) have stated clearly that one of the template for dialogue is the restructuring of Nigeria into six regions. We want them to note that the militants also demanded as part of their suggested template for the dialogue is for the process to be mediated by home countries of all the multinational oil cooperation as well as other neutral international mediators. We therefore urge the Pan NIGER-DELTA group to stick to this template. Anything short of this will not be accepted by our generation. The desire of our generation is to resolve in totality the issues that have bedevilled the growth of the NIGER-DELTA region which has placed the people in a near slavery status. It is not our wish to bequeath to our children this pitiably slavish entity.”
The statement further advised the Niger Delta leaders who will be participating in the proposed dialogue not to accept any form of financial incentives from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government, noting that their participation is a call to “service, suicidal sacrifice,” to liberate the region from bondage.
According to the statement, “The leadership of Pan NIGER-DELTA group not to accept any financial incentives in form of hotel accommodation, feeding and entertainment money from the Buhari led administration.
We believe that their voices will be stronger if the piper is not being sponsored by the one he is negotiating with. This is a generational call to service, a suicidal sacrifice whose end product is to liberate the region from her decades woes. The NIGER DELTA people demand sacrifice from those of you, whom by divine providence, are privileged to negotiate on behalf of hapless people of the region. History will remember you if you get it right. It will be a great disservice to the people of the region if our representatives demand for any financial gratification from the Federal Government in the proposed meeting.”
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