Ex-militant group in the Niger Delta has thrown their weight behind the leader of the Pan Ñiger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) and the resolution of the United Ñiger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), over the need to act quickly on burning issues in the region.
The UNDEDSS, had after an online meeting with some of its executives at the creeks, demanded they the Federal Government should start treating every zone of the country equitably or lose its moral right to demand full acquiescence to its leadership status.
While foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, had warned in a statement that the region was prepared to take their destinies into their hands, no matter the consequences that will follow suit if the Federal government continue to toy with development in the Niger Delta.
Both parties warned that the region had heard enough of ‘sabre rattling’ saying that President, not the Vice President who has lost credibility in the region, must urgently reach out to the constituted leadership of the Niger Delta, led by Edwin K. Clark, to ameliorate the many anomalies that threaten the peace and stability in the region.
The ex-militant group after a meeting and deliberation of all agitators and ex militant leaders of the Niger Delta held in Bomodi LGA of Delta State, agreed with the resolution taken by UNDEDSS, saying that achieving a lasting peace in the region must be devoid of politics and sentiments.
The group under the name, 21st Century Youths of the Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC) in a statement signed by its coordinator, ‘General’ Izon Ebi, said the FG must not allow enemies of retrogression to capitalize on the so called National Assembly probe to truncate the forensic audit and the fragile peace in the region.
“We implore Mr President to take a critical look at the situation because the region and it’s citizens have suffered enough in the hands of this political borrow pits who are never satisfied.
“We commend Mr President on his vision and determination to ensure that things turn around for the good of the Niger Delta in his decision of declaring a forensic audit.
“We therefore as agitators with conscience commend President Buhari for his wisdom, vision and determination to ensure a lasting peace, development, and prosperity in the Niger Delta.
Therefore, we should not allow our greedy law makers that are the real cause of the sacrilege and wanton looting that took place under their watch, to hoodwink Mr President and the general public to believe that 40billion naira is more important than 17trillion naira down the drain.
“Mr President declaring a forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC has opened our eyes to know that our political leaders and our representatives in the National Assembly are the real problem of the Niger Delta, the truth must be told.
“”We therefore use this medium to call on Mr President to have a one on one audience with his vice, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, who was holding sway as the Acting President when he was on medical leave, so that he can be truly briefed on the measures taken, and promises made, that led to this fragile peace we are all enjoying.
“Mr President should ensure that all negative predictions about the Niger Delta and the nollyhood drama at the National Assembly should be nipped in the bud by concluding the forensic audit”, the statement added.
The statement equally called for the forensic audit of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and if found wanting should be made to face the law.
