Thirteen ex-militant groups in the Niger Delta under the aegis of Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA) have threatened to re-launch attack over the inability of the Federal Government to meet with their demands.
The groups, which earlier accepted a ceasefire due to the Federal government’s amnesty programme said they would resume hostilities.
They added that they should not be blamed for unforeseen actions as a result of President Mohhmmadu Buhari’s refusal to attend to their demands.
The CNDA stated this in a statement signed by leaders of the 13 groups, which were: General John Duku for Niger Delta Watchdogs, General Ekpo Ekpo for Niger Delta Volunteers, General Osarolor Nedam for Niger Delta Warriors and Major-General Henry Okon Etete for Niger Delta People’s Fighters, Major-General Asukwo Henshaw for Bakassi Freedom Fighters.
Others were; Major-General Ibinabo Horsfall for Niger Delta Movement for Justice, Major-General Duke Emmanson for Niger Delta Fighters Network, Major-General Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.
The groups said that President Buhari has continually ignored their calls on the sack of the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio as well as the dissolution of the Interim Management Committee(IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), which according to them was marred with massive corruption.
The CNDA also accused the President of failure to address the issues of marginalisation in the Niger Delta especially in the area of appointment in the oil and gas sector.
The statement partly reads. “The Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators has withdrawn its ceasefire and demanded for the immediate removal of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as well as the replacement of the Group Managing Director of the NNPC with a qualified indigene of the Niger Delta region.
“The General Assembly of the Coalition also condemns the laissez-faire attitude of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari towards the continued sufferings and yearnings of the people of the Niger Delta.” The statement partly reads.
The groups said it was paradoxical for a government that claims to have zero tolerance on corruption to ignore series of allegations of corruption against APC stalwarts in various MDAs in the Country including the NDDC.
The group further said the approach of President Buhari government towards the region was a replica of what happened in 2005-2009 which witnessed a spike in militancy in the region and which also laid the foundation for the establishment of the Amnesty programme by the Yar’Adua administration.
The Statement added “We should not be blamed or held responsible for any unforeseen actions that may result from Buhari’s refusal to address the issues mentioned we mentioned,” the groups said
