By Francis Sadhere
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has urged the Federal Government to ignore the communique issued by the elders and stakeholders of the coastal states recently.
The communique was issued at the end of a one day Elders and Stakeholders meeting of the Niger Delta coastal States held in Warri, Delta State, Friday.
But MEND, advised the federal government to ignore the communique because it “failed to categorically condemn the criminal and treasonable activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).”
The group accused the converner of the meeting, Chief Edwin Clark, of being a major supporter of NDA.
According to a press statement signed by the group’s spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo and made available to our correspondent, Chief Clark lacks the moral authority to lead a discussion on the so-called “re-structuring” of the Nigerian Federation.
The statement reads in parts; “Chief Edwin Clark lacks the moral authority to lead a discussion on the so-called “re-structuring” of the Nigerian Federation, at this critical point in the country’s history; given the fact that, through-out the 6 years his “son” former President Goodluck Jonathan was in power, the elder statesman kept mute and actively participated in the economic dismemberment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In fact, Chief Clark’s Abuja residence was an extension of the State House.
“None of the persons who attended the Stakeholders meeting convened by Chief Clark and Governor Okowa have the capacity to persuade the people of the Niger Delta region to support the current efforts of the Buhari Administration to bring peace and development to the region.
“Consequently, MEND re-iterates its full support for the ongoing military presence in the Niger Delta region; even as we prepare to tour the region to drum support for the current Administration in an exercise code-named “OPERATION MOSES.”
“MEND shall continue to insist that; so long as these elders and stakeholders do not categorically and publicly denounce the NDA, the Federal Government should also continue to ignore them.”
