The Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators has condemned the recent alliance meeting between the Yorubas, Middle Belt, South East and Niger Delta Elders.
The coalition in a statement yesterday also hinted that it would declare Niger Delta
Republic on September 1if its demands are not met by the federal government.
The group said while the Niger Delta leaders could meet Igbo and Middle Belt, it was against Yoruba which allegedly acts against the interest of the South South region.
The statement reads: “The eight years of President Olusegun Obasanjo was a total disappointment. He failed to develop the Niger Delta or resolve the Niger Delta issues. Even the NDDC he created was not funded in order to drive the development of Niger Delta according to master plan.
“After so much agitation and pressure by the militants, Obasanjo decided to nominate Goodluck Jonathan as running mate to; late Yar’Adua, the Yorubas were not comfortable having Vice President from Niger Delta, this was demonstrated in 2014 APC primaries election. The Presidential candidate was zoned to the North to complete the tenure of late Yar’Adua while the Vice President supposed to be zoned to the South South to complete the tenure of the Niger Delta.
“But the Yorubas ignored and brought their son. Today the Yorubas have the Acting President and the Minister of Works, Power and Housing who ignores the East-West road and concentrates only on Benin-Ore road, which is their own.
“The Acting President tour of the Niger Delta states was a camouflage to deceive the Niger Delta people. After many months since the Acting President visited, there is nothing good come out from the visit. The call by the Acting President for the relocation of the head office of the Oil/Gas companies to their operational base was a great joke which we know even if he
is the President he would not enforce it.
“The greatest enemy of the Niger Delta people are the Yorubas. They constantly do everything possible to frustrate the progress and development of the Niger Delta region. They are in control of the Oil/Gas companies, they pay taxes and royalties to Lagos State Government instead of Niger Delta states.
“If we are to continue as one Nigeria from October 1st, 2017 we demand as follows: Restructuring and True Federalism that will give all the zones equal right;
Total Resource Control; Removal of the Group Managing Director – NNPC;
Removal of the National Security Adviser;
All the Oil/Gas companies and their servicing companies must relocate their headquarters to their operational base.
“Also, there must be concrete arrangement that come 2019, the President or Vice President must come from any of the Niger Delta States; Sixty percent (60%) of oil blocs in the Niger Delta should be awarded by Niger Delta people.
“We resolved to unfold the programmes for October 1st, 2017 declaration of Niger Delta Republic on September 1st 2017, if the Federal Government failed to meet up our demands as stated above”.
The statement was signed by General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs) and Convener: Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators; General Ekpo Ekpo – Niger Delta Volunteers; General Osarolor Nedam – Niger Delta Warriors; Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete – Niger Delta Peoples Fighters; Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw – Bakassi Freedom Fighters.
Others are Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall – Niger Delta Movement for Justice; Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson – Niger Delta Fighters Network; Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams – Niger Delta Freedom Mandate; Major-Gen. Ibinabo Tariah – Niger Delta Development Network. (Niger Pilot)
