Leaders of major former militant groups in the Niger Delta have threatened to unleash a spate of violence on the country if their Ijaw kinsman, President Goodluck Jonathan, lose the February presidential elections.
The militants spoke at a meeting held at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa with President Jonathan’s Niger Delta Affairs, and chairman of Amnesty Implementation Committee, Kingsley Kuku; Bayelsa state Governor, Seriake Dickson and his deputy; President General of Ijaw Youth Council, Udengs Eradiri; among others. The meeting was attended by former militant leaders and their followers across the Niger Delta.
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, leader, Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force; Victor Ben Ebikabowei, aka, Boy Loaf; and Government Ekpudomenowei, aka, Tompolo were present at the meeting.
The former militant leaders said a defeat for Jonathan at the presidential poll would be deemed an assault on the integrity of the Ijaw nation, and such they would not only unleash violence on Nigeria but would also take back their oil.
”For every Goliath, God created a David. For every Pharaoh, there is a Moses. “We are going to war. Everyone of you should go and fortify yourself,’’ Asari-Dokubo, the leader of the Niger Delta People;s Volunteer Force said at the meeting.
He advised those at the meeting to be ready for the battle ahead and declared that Mr. Jonathan would win reelection.
Dokubo-Asari, who condemned the attack on Jonathan in the north in the ongoing presidential campaigns, maintained that the survival of the Ijaw nation rests in the hands of the militants gathered at the meeting.
On his part, Boyloaf condemned the attack on President Jonathan in the north, saying nobody has the monopoly of violence.
He said there is nothing like one Nigeria, pointing out that oil is the only thing binding Nigeria’s diverse nationalities together.
While maintaining that President Jonathan would win the election, he however said if the north takes the power away from Mr. Jonathan, the people of the Niger Delta region would take their oil back.
He stressed the need for oneness of purpose among the people, urging them to keep their grudges aside and face the present challenges facing the Ijaw nation with solidarity.
”Keep grudges and sentiments apart. We are ready to match them bumper to bumper,” Boyloaf said.
In his remark, Governor Dickson thanked the former militant leaders for their resolve to back the re-election of President Jonathan with greater vigour and assured them that he would relate their position to the President.
He urged them to resist the temptation of being recruited by the opposition to destabilize the state.
The governor also charged them to shun propaganda and blackmail.
Follow Us