Michael Johnny Accuses PDP Of Using Ex-militants To Make Niger Delta Region Ungovernable, Unsafe For Multinational Oil Companies

By Francis Sadhere

The  Chairman of Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, Chief Michael Johnny has alleged that some elements of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State were using ex-militants in the State to make the oil-rich Niger Delta region unsafe for investors, especially multinational oil Companies.

In a  press release, the EGCDF boss claimed that the intention of the PDP elements, using ex-militants to forment trouble was to make the oil-rich region ungovernable for President  Buhari and implored Security Operatives to investigate such elements.

He intimated the President that members of the APC in the State were not involved and cannot be involved in the destruction of oil facilities in the region.

He warned that people should stop playing dirty politics with the Nigerian economy that President Buhari is working hard to turn around.

According to the EGCDF boss, youths of the region were nolonger interested in the destruction of the region, saying they were now prepared more than ever before for the development of the region.

While urging Security agents to fish out “Criminal Elements” who attacked oil facilities in Delta State early this year, Chief Johnny claimed that those who carried out the attacks were hired for the dirty job.

He said; “They never carried such attacks during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan and they  are blowing up the oil pipelines now to give the world the impression that President Buhari is incompetent and not capable of handling the affairs of the country, but they are wrong. President Buhari is the best thing to happen to this country, he came on a rescue mission and he will get Nigerians to the Promised Land.”

He stated that oil companies were not responsible for the attacks on Oil Pipelines in the region, saying many youths in the region have been employed by the Oil Companies, thanks to the Nigerian Local Content.

“How can oil companies be involved in the destruction of their facilities? I am a driver of the Nigerian Local Content, the oil companies have helped our people alot in terms of employment and contracts and APC members cannot be involved the destruction of oil pipelines. Some aggrieved persons in PDP are responsible for the attacks on the oil facilities,” he said.

While appealing to Nigerians to give President Buhari the needed support, the EGCDF boss said there was hope for all Nigerians in the 2016 budget, adding that; “President Buhari will surprise Nigerians with performance”.

He said;” I did not empower youths for criminality. Those causing problems in our riverine communities are hired people, they are not core freedom fighters, most of the freedom fighters have died, some are in jail and other are suffering. They are hiring criminals to destroy oil facilities because they failed to get Pipeline Contracts. But we have resolved to frustrate all their plans to frustrate President Buhari.”

Chief Johnny added that; “No more violence in the Niger Delta region, but intellectual militancy by working hand in hand with the APC led government, by supporting President Buhari. We are for peace. Dividends of democracy cannot come through violence. We cannot go back to the Creeks again. We will continue to support this government and the President should shun those with selfish interests. The EFCC is not against the Ijaw nation and those who have issues with EFCC should go to the Commission to defend themselves.”

According to him also; “The Ijaws are not trouble makers. Ijaw means truth, we stand for truth. Government should fish out Criminals in the Niger Delta region, war should not be brought to innocent people and leaders in our various communities should fish out Criminals hiding in their midst. We are peace loving people. People should stop seeing us as trouble makers. I am using this medium to appeal to the President to bring back the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko that is meant to bring development to the Niger Delta region and eliminate illiteracy  and criminality.”